Student Leader Devendra Nath Mahto, was allegedly stopped by the police from participating in a Tiranga Yatra being carried out by student protestors in Ranchi on the occasion of Independence Day. Mahto, who is the leader of Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha (JLKM), is currently admitted in Sadar Hospital.
In an X post on Saturday Mahto expressed his desire to peacefully participate in the flag hoisting and Tricolor March organized at the protest site, Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium but was forced back into his hospital room by police officers. He also added that heavy police deployment could be seen outside his room.
He questioned, "What kind of freedom is this, after all? Are we not even free to hoist the Tricolor and participate in the Tricolor March in our own country?"
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Mahto has shared multiple videos of the incident.
{{/usCountry}}Mahto has shared multiple videos of the incident.
{{/usCountry}}In one video he shared on X, Mahto is seen being pushed and shoved into his hospital room by police as he tries to fight it. He's wearing a tricolour scarf and bandana.
He said that the police tried to forcefully stop him along with his companions, from joining the Tiranga Yatra. “Despite being hungry for several days, I stand firm for my rights and the voice of the people. They cannot silence our voice by stopping us in this manner.” He added.
Mahto even sustained some injuries.
In another video shared on X by Mahto, he is seen lying on the hospital floor backed by his companions. He said that the police kept pushing and shoving him to stop him from leaving until he finally sat down right outside his room's gate.
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Mahto said, “Until I'm allowed to leave from here, I'll keep sitting right here. I won't even get my treatment done, and I'll stay here to make my point. My fight is for the rights of the people and for justice. They can't silence my voice by stopping me.”
As this happened, Jharkhand chief minister, Hemant Soren, addressed the state for Independence Day, ensuring the people that the hard work of job aspirants would not be left at the mercy of the paper leak mafia, corruption or irregularities, and huge employment opportunities would be made available to them through the state's recruitment agencies.
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"Several questions have been raised recently about recruitment examinations. When doubts arise, it is not just a single exam that is affected; the trust of an entire generation is shaken. I want to assure every student in Jharkhand that their hard work will not be left at the mercy of any mafia, corrupt system, or irregularity," he said.
Devendra Nath Mahto is on the 14th day of his indefinite hunger strike which started on August 2nd, over alleged irregularities in the JPSC and JSSC examination system.
(With inputs from PTI)