Jharkhand protest: Devendra Mahto hails ‘historic win’ as JSSC-CGL exam cancelled; three protesters continue hunger strike
The JLKM leader and two other protesters broke their fast around midnight after the State govt.’s announcement; demand for CBI probe continues
On Tuesday, August 18, 2026, the 25th day of the protest against alleged job exam irregularities in Jharkhand entered its third phase. Three protesters, Rahul Kranti, Sabita Kumari, and Rupesh Pal, continued their hunger strike despite Chief Minister Hemant Soren's announcement to cancel all recruitment tests, including the JSSC-CGL exam conducted by an outsourced agency since 2014.
Devendra Mahto, leader of Jharkhand Loktantrik Kranti Morcha (JLKM), ended his 16-day hunger strike soon after the state government's announcement, declaring the cancellation a "historic win" for the students' movement. However, the agitators insist their key demand for a CBI probe into alleged examination irregularities remains unmet.
Protesters plan to launch a second phase of the demonstration under the JPSC-JSSC Abhiyarthi Reform Manch, led by Mahto, until a guarantee of a leak-proof examination system and transparency is provided.
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