New Delhi: The protest against alleged paper leaks and irregularities in various recruitment examinations conducted by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC) has continued to gather momentum. The indefinite sit-in that began in Ranchi on July 29 has now escalated into an indefinite hunger strike. A total of six people, two of them women, are participating in the hunger strike ahead of the Monsoon Session of the Jharkhand assembly, set to start on August 6.Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha member Devendra Nath Mahto’s fast has entered the fourth day today, August 5.The movement has also received support from the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) and the All India Students’ Association (AISA) – under whose aegis a nationwide movement led to the resignation of the education minister Dharmendra Pradhan.AISA has announced a march to the assembly on August 7. The organisation stated that the students’ demands extend beyond merely cancelling the 14th JPSC examination. The organisation has demanded an impartial investigation into alleged paper leaks and irregularities in various competitive examinations, including JPSC, JSSC-CGL, JPSC-JET, Assistant Teacher, Secondary Teacher, and Police Recruitment examinations, along with action against those responsible, the publication of a regular examination calendar, and greater transparency in the recruitment process.The protests are taking place at the Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium in Ranchi.PTI has reported that the JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch spokesperson Jivan Kumar, said that a core committee meeting will be held shortly to decide on taking out a ‘Tiranga March’ in support of students’ demands.Who is Devendra Nath Mahto?Beginning his hunger strike on August 2, Mahto said that despite weeks of protests, the government had taken no concrete action, leaving him with no alternative. He said the movement had now reached a “do-or-die” stage for thousands of candidates.Jharkhand student leader Devendra Nath Mahato drinks water on the fourth day of his hunger strike against alleged irregularities in JPSC and JSSC recruitment examinations, in Ranchi, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026. Mahato agreed to take fluids following a phone interaction with activist Sonam Wangchuk, who urged him to consume water due to dropping blood sugar and blood pressure levels. Photo: PTI.Appealing to supporters to keep the movement peaceful and constitutional, he said the struggle was not for any individual but for the future of millions of young people in Jharkhand.Dainik Jagran reports that Mahto today (August 5) spoke to educationist Sonam Wangchuk, who had done a similar hunger strike in July 2026. Wangchuk inquired about the movement and his health, shared his thoughts, and encouraged him to continue the movement in a peaceful and democratic manner over a video call, the report said.Persuaded by Wangchuk, Mahato has decided to start having water again but said he will not eat until his demands are met.A report by The Wire Hindi illustrates how Mahto is a resident of a village in Ranchi district. He completed his schooling in Bundu and later pursued higher education at Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee University, Ranchi. He holds first-class postgraduate degrees in Sanskrit as well as Kudmali, Tribal and Regional Languages. He also earned a B.Ed. degree in Hazaribagh.In the 2024 Jharkhand assembly elections, he contested as an independent candidate from the Tamar constituency. He has been associated with student movements since 2015, raising issues related to scholarships, paper leaks, recruitment rules, reservation policy, and alleged irregularities in examinations conducted by the JPSC and JSSC.What are students asking for?The protesters are demanding the cancellation of the 14th JPSC Combined Preliminary Examination, which was held on April 19.They are also seeking a Central Bureau of Investigation probe into all recruitment examinations conducted by the JPSC and JSSC over the past seven years. They argue that the alleged irregularities should also be independently investigated by the Enforcement Directorate and other central agencies.Additionally, the students have demanded the inclusion of a fifth “Not Attempted” option on OMR answer sheets and comprehensive reforms in recruitment agencies.Rahul Kumar Kranti, a JPSC aspirant present at the protest site, was quoted by PTI as having said: “JPSC papers have been leaked several times. This time, candidates’ OMR sheets have been leaked. Chief Minister Hemant Soren has ordered a CID investigation, but we are not satisfied.”He alleged that previous investigations into the JSSC-CGL paper leak had produced no results and expressed concern that the current investigation would also eventually be shelved.Kranti added: “We have completely lost faith in the current CID investigation. We want a CBI probe into all recruitment examinations conducted by JPSC and JSSC over the last seven years. On moral grounds, the Chief Minister should also resign.”Another student Ankit Kumar from Giridih told PTI:“Because of corruption in both commissions, the future of thousands of students is at stake. Most of us come from farming families. We simply want a fair opportunity based on merit.”A student from Ranchi, Sneha, who belongs to a tribal community, told PTI those responsible for the alleged irregularities should receive strict punishment and that the 14th JPSC examination should be cancelled.“I have been preparing for competitive examinations since 2023. If we are not given an equal and fair opportunity, how will we ever get a job? I appeal to CM Hemant Soren to listen to our demands.”