Jharkhand Police drag fasting student leader Devendra Nath Mahto carrying Tricolour back inside hospital

New Delhi: In a disgraceful display of state power that mocked the very idea of freedom, Jharkhand police on Saturday forcibly stopped, pushed and dragged a student leader, who has been on hunger strike for 14 days, inside a hospital just as he tried to leave to join a Tiranga Yatra and hoist the national flag. Devendra Nath Mahto, a Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha (JLKM) leader and one of the faces of the ongoing student protest against alleged massive irregularities in JPSC and JSSC recruitment exams, was manhandled by police at Ranchi’s Sadar Hospital. Video footage shows officers grabbing the barefoot, tricolour-clad activist, shoving him around the hospital corridor and dragging him back into his room while he clutched a small Indian flag. 14 दिनों से भूख हड़ताल पर बैठे मेरे साथ आज पुलिस द्वारा धक्का-मुक्की और बलपूर्वक रोकने की कोशिश की गई। मेरे साथ मौजूद साथियों के साथ भी पुलिस द्वारा मारपीट की गई। कई दिनों से भूखा होने के बावजूद मैं अपने अधिकार और जनता की आवाज़ के लिए खड़ा हूँ। हमें इस तरह रोककर हमारी आवाज़ को... pic.twitter.com/TRxMaMkBqR — Devendra Nath Mahto (@DevendraNathMa9) August 15, 2026 Mahto, who has refused food since August 2, alleged that he suffered a chest injury in the scuffle. His treatment and medical examination were underway after the confrontation. “For 14 days I have been on hunger strike. Today the police tried to push and forcibly stop me. They also beat my companions who were with me,” he posted. “Despite being hungry for many days, I stand for my rights and the voice of the people. They cannot silence our voice by stopping us like this.” Mahto had already sought permission to leave the hospital. On August 12, he wrote to the civil surgeon and the medical officer in charge of Sadar Hospital, asking to be allowed to return to the protest site at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium. His associates also sought administrative permission for him to attend the Independence Day flag-hoisting programme. Mahto offered to take responsibility for his health and said the hospital administration would not be liable if his condition deteriorated after he left. Permission was not granted. The timing could not have been more grotesque. On the 80th Independence Day, while the nation celebrated “azadi,” a weakened man fighting over the future of government job aspirants was denied the simple act of walking out of a hospital to participate in a peaceful flag march. Mahto’s pointed question cut through the scene unfolding around him: “After 80 years, we have realised that we have got only nominal freedom. Under which provision of the Constitution am I being stopped?” He said heavy police deployment appeared outside his hospital room after he expressed his desire to participate in the flag-hoisting programme and Tiranga Yatra. “What kind of freedom is this, after all? Are we not even free to hoist the Tricolour and participate in the Tricolour March in our own country?” he asked. After being prevented from leaving, Mahto sat outside his hospital room and said he would remain there until he was allowed to go. He also demanded that the authorities produce a written medical order if doctors had actually advised that he could not leave the hospital. “If there is a doctor’s order, show me the written order. If I am stopped without a written order, I will file an FIR against everyone who stopped me,” he said. The Tiranga Yatra went ahead without him. Thousands of job aspirants and supporters marched from Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium towards Albert Ekka Chowk carrying the national flag and raising slogans including “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” and “Vande Mataram”. The stadium has remained the main site of the agitation against alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations conducted by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission. Mahto was admitted to Sadar Hospital after participating in the August 10 Vidhan Sabha gherao despite already being on hunger strike. He arrived at the protest in an ambulance and later stood on a stretcher to address demonstrators. His health deteriorated after the march. Doctors at Sadar Hospital described his condition at the time as critical because of a drastic drop in his blood sugar level. The August 10 protest had seen police use lathis, tear gas and water cannons as job aspirants attempted to march towards the Assembly. Several protesters were injured, and Mahto alleged that he too was hurt during the police action. This is not an isolated confrontation. Students protesting recruitment examinations have faced barricades, water cannons, tear gas and lathi-charges during the agitation. Their demands include greater transparency in recruitment examinations, cancellation of examinations they allege were compromised, and an independent investigation into alleged irregularities. Protesters have sought a CBI probe or an inquiry by retired judges from outside Jharkhand. Mahto has also demanded an inquiry into the August 10 lathi-charge and legal action against the official responsible for ordering it. Even from hospital, he urged students not to allow the movement to weaken or be diverted. Supporters and opposition voices have called Saturday’s episode a new low. Videos of the hospital confrontation circulated widely, showing police surrounding a frail Mahto in a white kurta-pajama, with a tricolour scarf and bandana, and refusing to let him leave as he repeatedly questioned the basis on which he was being stopped. Mahto remains on hunger strike. His protest continues from inside Sadar Hospital, while the students’ agitation continues outside.