Devendra Mahto Stopped from Attending Ranchi Tiranga Yatra Amid JPSC Protests (Video)

Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha (JLKM) leader Devendra Nath Mahto was allegedly prevented by local police from attending a Tricolour March at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium on Saturday, coinciding with India's 80th Independence Day celebrations. Mahto, who is currently undergoing treatment at Sadar Hospital while on an indefinite hunger strike, stated that security personnel were deployed outside his room to block his departure.

The Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium has served as the central hub for widespread demonstrations over the past month. Thousands of job aspirants and students have assembled at the venue to protest against alleged irregularities and paper leaks in recruitment examinations conducted by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC).  Jharkhand: On Hunger-strike, Devendra Mahto Stopped from Attending Tiranga Yatra in Ranchi.

Mahto entered the 14th day of his hunger strike on Saturday, having begun his fast on August 2. He was admitted to Sadar Hospital after a protest march towards the Vidhan Sabha turned chaotic, resulting in security forces using tear gas, water cannons, and lathicharges to disperse the crowd. Expressing his frustration over the movement restrictions on Independence Day, Mahto took to social media to question the authorities, asking whether citizens lacked the freedom to peacefully participate in a national celebration.

In response to the growing unrest among job aspirants, Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren addressed the issue during his official Independence Day speech. Soren assured the public that his administration is actively implementing structural reforms to ensure total transparency in recruitment exams conducted by state bodies. He highlighted government initiatives aimed at engaging directly with students to collect feedback and strengthen the state's educational framework. Ex-Jharkhand CM Raghubar Das Meets Student Leader Devendra Nath Mahto at Ranchi Hospital.

Devendra Mahto Blocked from Independence Day Flag March

VIDEO | Ranchi: Devendra Nath Mahto, who has been on a hunger strike for the past 14 days over the alleged recruitment exam irregularities in Jharkhand, claims police are not allowing him to attend the Tiranga Yatra.

(Source: Third Party) pic.twitter.com/4MsYf7PBkM

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) August 15, 2026

Meanwhile, student leaders at the protest site indicated that demonstrations were temporarily paused on Independence Day to focus solely on national pride, refraining from submitting fresh demands for the day. Mahto, speaking from his hospital bed, urged participants to maintain unity and remain vigilant against external attempts to fracture the student-led movement.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 15, 2026 01:13 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).