Devendra Nath Mahto Emerges as the Face of Jharkhand’s Student Protest, Demanding Transparent Recruitment and CBI-ED Investigation
A massive student protest has gained momentum in Ranchi, the capital of Jharkhand, with Devendra Nath Mahto emerging as the movement’s most prominent face. Many students have started referring to him as Jharkhand’s “Sonam Wangchuk” because of his decision to launch an indefinite hunger strike in support of students protesting alleged irregularities in government recruitment examinations.
Mahto began his hunger strike on the night of August 2, 2026, at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium in Ranchi, where thousands of students have been staging demonstrations.
Why Are Students Protesting?
According to Devendra Nath Mahto, the hunger strike became the final option after repeated protests failed to receive a response from the government.
The protesting students are demanding:
- A CBI and ED investigation into alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations.
- Cancellation of the 14th JPSC Preliminary Examination until complete transparency is ensured.
- A fair, corruption-free recruitment system in Jharkhand.
The protesters claim that recruitment examinations conducted by Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC) have been affected by serious irregularities.
Who Is Devendra Nath Mahto?
Devendra Nath Mahto is a student leader from a small village near Ranchi.
He completed his higher education at Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee University, Ranchi, while his schooling was completed in Bundu.
His academic qualifications include:
- Postgraduate degrees in Sanskrit, Kurmali, and Tribal & Regional Languages
- Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) from Hazaribagh
Mahto has been actively involved in student movements since 2015, raising issues related to scholarships, paper leaks, recruitment rules, reservation policies, and education reforms.
Political Background
Devendra Nath Mahto also entered electoral politics.
In the 2024 Lok Sabha Election, he contested the Ranchi parliamentary seat under the banner of the Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha (JLKM) and secured 132,647 votes.
He also contested the 2024 Jharkhand Assembly Election, where he received 41,725 votes and finished third.
According to his election affidavit:
- Total assets: Approximately ₹1.66 lakh
- Criminal cases: 11 cases, reportedly linked to his participation in student protests and demonstrations.
“Talk to Students or Resign”: Message to Chief Minister Hemant Soren
On August 4, 2026, Devendra Nath Mahto posted on X that his hunger strike had entered its third day, while the broader satyagraha had completed 11 days.
Paying tribute to Dishom Guru Shibu Soren on his first death anniversary, Mahto dedicated the movement to his memory.
He wrote that the protest is not for politics or personal gain, but for a fair, transparent, and corruption-free recruitment system.
He also appealed to Chief Minister Hemant Soren with the message:
“Talk to the students or resign.”
At the same time, Mahto urged protesters to keep the movement peaceful and constitutional, saying the fight is for the future of lakhs of students across Jharkhand.
Allegations Made by Students
Student protests have continued across Jharkhand since July 25, 2026, centering around alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations.
Among the key allegations are:
- OMR sheet manipulation in the JPSC Civil Services Examination
- Question paper leaks
- Lack of transparency in recruitment
- Appointment of TDPL, an agency allegedly blacklisted by other government institutions, to manage examination processes
The movement has now spread across the state, demanding accountability and education reforms.
Other Recruitment and Examination Controversies
Students have also highlighted several other alleged irregularities, including:
- The 2024 JSSC CGL examination paper leak, which required High Court intervention.
- The Jharkhand Excise Constable Competitive Examination (JECCE) case, where authorities arrested 159 candidates and five alleged racket leaders for memorizing leaked question papers after reportedly paying up to ₹15 lakh each.
- The Jharkhand Academic Council (JAC) Class 10 Board Examination 2025, where Science and Hindi question papers reportedly leaked on social media in districts such as Koderma and Giridih, forcing cancellation and re-examination.
Students have rejected a CID inquiry and continue to demand an independent investigation.
What Did Chief Minister Hemant Soren Say?
Responding to the ongoing protests, Chief Minister Hemant Soren said the government is waiting for the investigation report.
He stated that the administration is taking the issue seriously and assured students that the government will share detailed information after the inquiry is completed.
When asked whether a government delegation would meet the protesting students, Soren said any action would be taken through the constitutional process and reiterated that his government stands with students.
Why Is Devendra Nath Mahto Being Compared to Sonam Wangchuk?
Students have compared Devendra Nath Mahto to activist Sonam Wangchuk because both used indefinite hunger strikes to draw national attention to student-related issues.
The comparison gained popularity after Wangchuk’s widely discussed hunger strike over examination reforms, which inspired many student movements across India.
Now, supporters believe Mahto’s peaceful protest represents a similar fight for transparency and educational justice in Jharkhand.
