Mahto, who is undergoing treatment at Ranchi’s Sadar Hospital, said his fast-unto-death would continue despite his deteriorating health. In a handwritten message issued from the hospital on Tuesday, he said his body may become weak but his determination to seek justice and expose alleged irregularities in the recruitment process remains unchanged.

Mahto Reaffirms Commitment to Student Movement

In his message, Mahto said the ‘JPSC-JSSC Corruption-Free Recruitment Campaign’, launched on July 5, has continued to raise concerns over alleged corruption and irregularities in recruitment examinations.

He thanked students, teachers, parents, media personnel and other supporters for their participation in the Assembly gherao programme on August 10, which he described as successful.

Mahto also appealed to the state government to conduct an impartial investigation into the police action during the protest.

Student Leader Alleges Excessive Police Force

Mahto alleged that he was taken in an ambulance to a location where nearly 100 students had gathered peacefully during the Assembly gherao.

According to his account, police personnel initially pushed the protesters and later resorted to a lathicharge without issuing a prior warning. He was subsequently taken to Sadar Hospital and admitted for treatment.

Questioning the police action, Mahto asked why he and other students were brought to the location if authorities intended to use force against the demonstrators.

He described the alleged lathicharge as unfortunate and condemnable and demanded a fair investigation into the incident and appropriate action against those responsible.

‘Lathicharge Cannot Silence Students’

Mahto said coercive measures and lathicharges could not silence the voice of students. He stressed that the movement was rooted in constitutional and democratic principles.

He appealed to students and young people involved in the campaign to continue their agitation peacefully and democratically.

The Jharkhand student movement has been continuing over demands for greater transparency in recruitment examinations conducted by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC), along with an impartial investigation into alleged irregularities.