Jharkhand activist barred from Independence Day flag march while on hunger strike

During the 80th Independence Day events in Ranchi, police stopped Devendra Nath Mahto, a leader of the Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha, from participating in a Tiranga Yatra held at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium. Mahto, now on his 14th day of an indefinite hunger strike that began on August 2, was admitted to Sadar Hospital after a protest turned violent, with authorities deploying lathicharges, tear gas and water cannons against students.

From his hospital bed, he posted on X that a heavy police force had been positioned outside his room when he expressed a desire to join the flag-hoisting ceremony, questioning the freedom to do so. Chief Minister Hemant Soren responded by assuring that the state would work toward transparent recruitment exams conducted by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission, launching a student-consultation initiative called "Chhatron Ki Baat - Chhatron Ke Sath."

Meanwhile, student leader Ravinder Paswan said that on Independence Day the demonstrators would limit their discourse to the theme of freedom and not present new demands. Mahto also warned from his hospital bed that external elements were attempting to fragment the student movement and urged participants to keep it united.