Jharkhand protest: Will launch Phase 2 stir for corruption-free job exams, Devendra Mahto says; three protesters continue hunger strike

The JLKM leader and two others broke their fast around midnight after the State govt. announced JSSC-CGL exam cancellation; demand for CBI probe continues

Updated - August 18, 2026 06:12 pm IST - Ranchi

Jharkhand Ministers Deepika Pandey Singh and Irfan Ansari serve juice and help student leader Devendra Nath Mahto break his 16-day hunger strike late on August 17, 2026. | Photo Credit: PTI

Three of the six protesters — Rahul Kranti, Sabita Kumari and Rupesh Pal — continue their hunger strike as the agitation against the alleged job exam irregularities in Jharkhand entered its 25th day on Tuesday (August 18, 2026), even after Chief Minister Hemant Soren announced the cancellation of all recruitment tests, including the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission-Combined Graduate Level (JSSC-CGL) examination, conducted by an outsourced agency since 2014.

Jharkhand Loktantrik Kranti Morcha (JLKM) leader Devendra Mahto ended his 16-day hunger strike around Monday midnight (August 17, 2026), soon after the State government’s announcement. Two protesters, Prem Nayak and Umme Habiba, also ended the fast.

Jharkhand protest LIVE updates - August 18, 2026

Mr. Mahto, addressing a press conference on Tuesday (August 18, 2026), welcomed the State government’s decision to cancel the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission-Combined Graduate Level (JSSC-CGL) examination, calling it a “historic win” for the students’ movement. “A CBI or CID inquiry cannot give justice to the students. We are demanding a guarantee of a leak-proof examination system and transparency in the future. I have a blueprint to achieve this, which I will share with the government,” he said.

‘Phase 2 stir for corruption-free job exams’

Mr. Mahto announced that he would soon launch the second phase of the demonstration for corruption-free recruitment by JPSC and JSSC. He said the demonstration will continue until the “government guarantees no paper leak or irregularities in recruitment examinations in future”.

“I have ended my hunger strike, not the protest. The agitation will continue till the government gives a guarantee that no paper leak or irregularities will take place in recruitment examinations. We will soon launch the second phase of our protest, demanding corruption-free recruitment in JPSC and JSSC examinations,” he said, addressing media persons.

The second round of the stir will be launched under the banner of JPSC-JSSC Abhiyarthi Reform Manch, headed by Mr. Mahto.

On calling off the agitation

Protesters may take a call on withdrawing the demonstration, however there has been no announcement on the matter. "Today, our protest enters its 25th day. We may decide whether we continue or call the agitation off after the government's announcement," a protesting student said.

Students were seen celebrating and waving the Tricolour after the State government’s announcement. However, the decision failed to end the protest on Monday night (August 18, 2026) as the agitators maintained that their key demand for a CBI probe into alleged examination irregularities had not been accepted. Rahul Kranti, one of the protesters undergoing treatment at Sadar Hospital, said the agitation would continue unless the government accepted the demand for a CBI probe.

Student leader Piyush Kumar said those protesting “want to see whether the JSSC notification has actually been withdrawn”. He said they are waiting for clarity on some key demands. “TDPL had prepared the final merit list. We also want to understand the government’s stance regarding the CDPO and FSO exams; that remains unclear. Thirdly, regarding the age cut-off—we had demanded the 2018 cut-off, but the government’s position on this is not clear. What is the government’s stance on a CBI inquiry? We have some doubts regarding the government’s position on that. So, the agitation will continue until a consensus is reached on all these matters,” Kumar said.

The announcement of the cancellation of exams came after Chief Minister Hemant Soren chaired a marathon Cabinet meeting at the State secretariat. He also said an exam reforms committee headed by senior IAS officer Amitabh Kaushal would recommend measures to strengthen the process of recruitment tests.

Activist Sonam Wangchuk congratulated Mr. Mahto over a video call, describing the government's decision as a "victory for everyone". "It seems that this victory is one in which no one loses. You have won, and the government has won too, because they also intend to do good. So, this is a victory where the other side does not have to face defeat. It is a victory for everyone -- a victory for India, for the people, and for Jharkhand," he said.