‘Organs unable to cope’: Jharkhand student leader’s health worsens after 15-day fast

Student leader Devendra Nath Mahto is facing a critical decline in health as he continues his hunger strike to advocate for essential reforms in Jharkhand’s recruitment examination system

RANCHI: Amid the ongoing protests over alleged irregularities in the JPSC and JSSC examinations, student leader Devendra Nath Mahto’s health has deteriorated after 15 days of an indefinite hunger strike.Mahto, who has been protesting at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium in Ranchi, said the prolonged fast had severely affected his health.Speaking to the media, Mahto said, “I am facing significant difficulty in speaking. The doctor said my blood sugar and blood pressure are low, and my entire body is dehydrated… My body’s organs are unable to cope.”Mahto has been surviving on water and salt during the protest, which he began following an appeal by social activist Sonam Wangchuk. Despite his deteriorating condition, he said he remained involved in the agitation.On negotiations between student representatives and the state government, Mahto said he did not attend the meeting himself and that other students represented the protesters.“I haven’t gone, though; the students went instead. They have submitted their list of demands. The government has assured them that their demands are legitimate and has stated that they are considering the matter,” Mahto added.His remarks came after a four-member state government delegation met an 11-member delegation representing JPSC and JSSC examination aspirants at the State Guest House in Ranchi.After the meeting, Jharkhand minister Sudivya Kumar Sonu announced that the government had launched a dedicated email ID to receive suggestions from students and other stakeholders on recruitment reforms.The administration urged aspirants and other stakeholders to use the platform to submit constructive suggestions and feedback to improve the recruitment process.The protesters at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium have demanded the cancellation of all JSSC CGL, JSSC JE and PGT examinations held after 2019. They are also seeking a CBI probe into alleged irregularities and strict action against the “mafias and agencies involved”.Other demands include the release of category-wise cut-offs for UR, EWS, BC-I, BC-II, SC and ST candidates, along with OMR copies and response sheets to ensure transparency.The protesters have also called for a recruitment calendar modelled on the UPSC and SSC systems.The agitation comes amid widespread protests by candidates seeking greater transparency and structural reforms in competitive examinations conducted by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC).