Jharkhand student protesters plan ‘Tiranga Yatra’ to spread message of unity

Students protesting against alleged irregularities in Jharkhand’s recruitment examinations are planning to take out a ‘Tiranga Yatra’ to celebrate India’s 80th Independence Day in Ranchi on Saturday (August 15, 2026).

JPSC-JSSC Reform Manch leader Ravindra Paswan said the “indefinite” protest, which entered its 21st day on Friday, will continue until the government accepted their demands.

“On Independence Day, we have organised a Tiranga Yatra. Students from all districts of Jharkhand will come here to participate in this march. The aim is to convey a message of unity and patriotism,“ Mr. Paswan said.

Kumar Rajat, Sub-Divisional Officer of Ranchi Sadar, and Dhananjay Kumar, Additional District Magistrate (Law and Order), went to the protest site to gather information about the march.

The march will begin at 9.30 a.m. from Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium, where the students are camping, and will pass through Kachhari Chowk, Nucleus Mall, Lalpur Chowk, Plaza Chowk, Firayalal Chowk, and Shaheed Chowk before returning to the stadium, the students said.

Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha (JLKM) leader Devendra Kumar Mahto, in a video message from the Ranchi Sadar Hospital, alleged that a few people were trying to “weaken” the protest. He urged protesting students to continue with the agitation for the “sake of reforms” in competitive examinations.

“I am under treatment at Sadar Hospital, Ranchi and continuing my hunger strike. Today is the 12th day. After the lathi-charge during the Vidhan Sabha March on August 10, I was brought to Sadar Hospital, and it has been four days now,” Mr. Mahto said in the video posted on X.

“I have been continuously urging the hospital management of Ranchi Sadar to transfer me to the protest venue, Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium, where my student friends are sitting in a peaceful protest,” he added.

Mr. Mahto demanded an inquiry into the lathi-charge on students during the August 10 rally. “I demand legal action against the official responsible for giving the order of lathi-charge,” he said, adding that the protesting students should not worry about his health. 

Also Read: Agitating students accuse govt. of withholding health details of Devendra Mahto to weaken stir

“At present, the most important thing is the reform in the recruitment process, which has collapsed in Jharkhand. It is really painful that in every exam, there is a paper leak, irregularities and jobs are being offered on recommendations,” he said.

Devendra Nath Mahto, who has been on hunger strike for the past 13 days to protest alleged irregularities, is undergoing treatment at Sadar Hospital, in Ranchi
| Photo Credit:
PTI

He added that the “soul of Jharkhand is being sold” with these jobs. “Jharkhand is in danger, and you all have to save it. I will appeal to the officials of the State government that power comes and goes in democracy. Do not become a slave and follow the instructions of the government blindly,” Mr. Mahto said.

In a related development, the police continued examining video footage to identify miscreants involved in violence during the Vidhan Sabha March on Monday (August 10). The police have registered FIRs against more than 500 unnamed protesters.