Ranchi: Student leader Devendra Nath Mahto ended his hunger strike at Sadar Hospital in Ranchi on Monday after Chief Minister Hemant Soren announced the cancellation of the JSSC-CGL examination and all examinations conducted by TDPL.
Mahto had been on a hunger strike as part of a student-led agitation over demands concerning the recruitment examination process in the state.
Speaking to reporters, Mahto thanked CM Soren, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi and State Ministers Dipika Pandey Singh and Irfan Ansari for accepting the aspirants' demands.
"Today marks the 16th day of the hunger strike; this struggle began on July 2. Following a meeting with the Chief Minister on July 20, a CID inquiry was initiated on July 28. The investigation is being conducted thoroughly, sparing no one, including high-profile figures like the former Chief Secretary and the JPSC Chairman. I thank the Jharkhand government for taking the decision to cancel the examination despite the recruitment process having reached the joining stage," Mahto said.
"Today marks a huge victory for Jharkhand. While I am now suspending my protest, my struggle for reform will continue. Every examination must be monitored and audited, with a clear certification process at every stage. We will continue to struggle for reforms to ensure that paper leaks and irregularities do not occur," he added.
Jharkhand Minister Irfan Ansari said Mahto, Umme Habiba and Rahul Kranti had ended their hunger strike and were found to be healthy after medical examinations.
"Just now, Devendra Mahato, Umme Habiba, and Rahul Kranti voluntarily took the initiative to end their hunger strike. We helped them break their fast by giving them juice. The agitation has formally concluded today. The government has accepted all their demands. A full medical check-up has been conducted, and they are being discharged. All three are healthy; there are no issues," Ansari said.
Reacting to the announcement, student protester Rajesh Prasad said that the 23-day student struggle had reached a successful conclusion.
He said the Chief Minister had announced the cancellation of the JSSC-CGL examination, the 11th to 13th JPSC examinations, and other examinations, including CDPO and FSO exams, conducted by TDPL.
"Along with cancelling these examinations, he has also ordered an inquiry. We have full faith that the Chief Minister will fulfil our demand for an impartial investigation," Prasad said.
He also urged Soren to grant students and their representatives an opportunity to meet him, saying they were ready for discussions with the Chief Minister.
Meanwhile, student leader Umme Habiba, who also ended her hunger strike, urged the government to withdraw legal action against protesting students and protect their right to peaceful protest. She also sought the reinstatement of Santosh Mastana and action to expedite the closure or withdrawal of CID Case No. 025.
"I am struggling for the rights of Jharkhand's candidates, a fair recruitment system, and the security of their future. I hope the Chief Minister will consider my demands and take the necessary action," Habiba said.