# Jharkhand recruitment protest and hunger strike > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/jharkhand-recruitment-protest-and-hunger-strike > Updated: 2026-08-23T19:59:11.000Z. Sources: 46. Developments: 4. Student leader Devendra Nath Mahto has launched an indefinite hunger strike in Ranchi, Jharkhand, to protest alleged corruption and irregularities in recruitment examinations conducted by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC). Protesters are calling for the cancellation of affected exams, including the JSSC CGL, a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe, or an investigation by a panel of retired judges. As the agitation progressed, Mahto was hospitalised at Sadar Hospital due to severe weakness, dehydration, low blood sugar, and low blood pressure. He reportedly sustained injuries during a police lathi-charge on August 10. Despite medical treatment, Mahto requested permission to return to the protest site at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium, stating that being separated from fellow protesters caused him more ‘emotional distress than his physical ailments.’ Former Chief Minister Raghubar Das visited Mahto in the hospital to express support. Following demonstrations where protesters attempted to burn effigies of Chief Minister Hemant Soren, police filed multiple First Information Reports (FIRs) against hundreds of individuals. In Giridih and Hazaribag, FIRs were filed against 39 named and over 900 unidentified persons, with clashes in Hazaribag leaving eight police personnel injured. In Ranchi, three FIRs were filed against 14 named and over 200 unidentified individuals for allegedly violating designated routes. While police reported using mild force, Leader of Opposition Babulal Marandi accused the government of deploying JMM members to assault protesters with sticks and batons. ## Claims - Police registered an FIR against approximately 300 unidentified persons following the August 10 march. (disputed by 7 sources) - Mahto has been on a hunger strike for approximately 14 days. (disputed by 7 sources) - An FIR was filed against 600 protesters, including 100 named individuals, regarding the Assembly march. (disputed by 6 sources) - Student leader Devendra Nath Mahto has been on a hunger strike for 12 days and is receiving hospital treatment. (disputed by 4 sources) - Students have announced a siege of Chief Minister Hemant Soren's residence for August 20. (corroborated by 17 sources) - Protesters plan to burn effigies of Hemant Soren and Rahul Gandhi across 24 districts on August 16. (corroborated by 17 sources) - The hunger strike is a protest against alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations conducted by the JPSC and JSSC. (corroborated by 16 sources) - More than 14 police and security personnel were injured during the clashes and stone-pelting. (corroborated by 8 sources) - Devendra Nath Mahto alleged that police beat him at a Ranchi hospital while he attempted to join a Tiranga Yatra. (corroborated by 8 sources) - Protesters urged the Congress party to withdraw its support from the JMM-led coalition government. (corroborated by 8 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-23: Jharkhand police file FIRs against hundreds following recruitment protests Police in Jharkhand have filed numerous FIRs against hundreds of people following violent protests by job aspirants over recruitment irregularities and the burning of Chief Minister Hemant Soren's effigies. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/jharkhand-police-file-firs-against-hundreds-following-recruitment-protests ### 2026-08-13: Student leader Devendra Nath Mahto continues hunger strike in Jharkhand Student leader Devendra Nath Mahto is on his 11th day of a hunger strike in Ranchi, protesting alleged corruption in Jharkhand recruitment examinations. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/student-leader-devendra-nath-mahto-continues-hunger-strike-in-jharkhand ### 2026-08-13: Jharkhand students protest recruitment exam irregularities Jharkhand students are protesting for 23 days against recruitment exam irregularities, demanding a CBI probe and the resignation of CM Hemant Soren, while criticizing Rahul Gandhi for inaction. 43 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/devendra-nath-mahto-alleges-police-assault-in-ranchi-hospital ### 2026-08-10: Devendra Nath Mahto hospitalised following Jharkhand recruitment protests Jharkhand student leader Devendra Nath Mahto has been hospitalised after a hunger strike protesting alleged irregularities in JPSC and JSSC recruitment examinations. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/devendra-nath-mahto-hospitalised-following-jharkhand-recruitment-protests --- Cite as: Jharkhand recruitment protest and hunger strike. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/jharkhand-recruitment-protest-and-hunger-strike