Ranchi students hold Tiranga Yatra amid exam protest

Students in Ranchi, Jharkhand, held a ‘Tiranga Yatra’ (tricolor march) on Saturday to coincide with Independence Day, as part of an ongoing protest against alleged irregularities in JPSC and JSSC examinations.

During the march, tensions rose at Ranchi Sadar Hospital, where student leaders Devendra Nath Mahato and Umme Habiba are undergoing hunger strikes. Both students attempted to join the procession, but police prevented them from leaving the hospital, citing health concerns. Mahato, who has been on a hunger strike for 14 days, alleged that police used force and pushed him and his companions when they tried to exit their rooms.

The student movement has been active for 22 days, demanding investigations into recruitment irregularities and action against those responsible. Despite three rounds of talks with the government, the standoff remains unresolved.