Sonam Wangchuk backs Jharkhand students as Mahato's hunger strike enters day four

With the student leader Devendra Nath Mahato’s indefinite hunger strike entering its fourth day, climate activist Sonam Wangchuk has expressed support for the agitating students in Jharkhand who are protesting against the alleged irregularities in the 14th JPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination and other such exams in the state.

Hunger strike enters Day 4

Speaking to reporters, Mahato said that Wanhuk has assured continued support for the protestors, adding that he agreed to consume only salt and water following the assurance. However, Mahato made it clear that he will not have any food till the state government addresses and stops the irregularities in exams.

Also Read: Ranchi student protest alleging exam irregularities enters Day 6; CJP lends support

"We have been on Satyagraha since July 25th; I sat on the indefinite hunger strike on August 2nd. I was extremely exhausted--it was a critical time... Papers have been leaking here for 26 years... Yesterday, the doctor warned that if I didn't take water, I would have to be admitted to the hospital..." Mahato told Wangchuk when the activist asked about his health, reported ANI.

‘Please take some water’

However, according to Mahato, Wangchuk urged him to have water and salt, adding that not doing so would be “tantamount to suicide.”

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"Please take some water; this is tantamount to suicide... You need some time, but it could be 2-3 weeks as well, and I hope that the government will understand and make the right decision,” Mahato quoted Wangchuk as saying.

Wangchuk backs protest

"Sonam Wangchuk sir, by supporting our movement, has increased our morale. He has increased it so much that now we will definitely make the government back down. For the last four days, I had given up both water and food, and my condition was quite bad. He made a lot of pleas, requests, and appeals, saying, 'Take water and salt, and everyone is always with you, and surely your movement will be successful.' Many others had requested before for me to take water and salt, but I had refused everyone. However, with one condition, I have accepted water from Sonam sir,” said Mahato.

Condition for support

Elaborating further, Mahato said that he agreed to have salt and water as urged by Wangchuk only if he extended continued support to them, like he supported the Cockroach Janata Party-led (CJP) protest in Delhi, to which the activist agreed.

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"The condition is that, just as you physically participated in the students' protest at Jantar Mantar and made the movement of students across India successful while on a hunger strike, in the same way, for justice for all the students of Jharkhand, we will expect the same support from you until this movement is successful. And we should get your support,” said Mahato.

“Sonam Wangchuk sir has accepted this condition, that until the students of Jharkhand get justice, until this protest is successful, Sonam Wangchuk sir will stay with us, always stay in touch, and also be on video calls. And from today onwards, I will consume water and salt, but I will not consume food until the Jharkhand government listens to our demands," he added.

Protest over JPSC exam

Mahato launched his indefinite hunger strike on Sunday (August 2) night at Ranchi's Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium, where students have been staging protests over alleged irregularities in multiple recruitment examinations.

Also Read: How CJP protest spread to UK, USA, Europe, got Indian diaspora's support

The agitation gathered pace after the Jharkhand Public Service Commission declared the results of the 14th Civil Services Preliminary Examination on July 5. Aspirants have since alleged irregularities in the recruitment process.

Students have continued their round-the-clock sit-in, demanding a transparent investigation and accountability from the authorities. The protest has remained ongoing as candidates press the government to address their concerns.

CM assures action

A day earlier, Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren said the government was aware of the issue and assured that the concerns raised by students would be addressed.

"I have said this before as well, the government has eyes and ears; it is sensitive to the issue...the way the investigation team is working day and night, we are waiting for its answer and a conclusion...very soon we will make the students and the people of the state aware about it. All the necessities of the students will be met, and they will get justice," the Chief Minister said.