LIVE BLOG12 Aug 2026 | 08:09:20 AM ISTJharkhand’s student agitation enters its 12th day as Devendra Nath Mahto continues his hunger strike, with protesters warning of a “mass movement” unless the government addresses alleged JPSC and JSSC recruitment exam irregularities and their demands for reforms.SynopsisJharkhand Students' Protests Live News Updates: Jharkhand students’ agitation enters its 12th day on Wednesday, with JLKM leader Devendra Nath Mahto continuing his hunger strike despite hospitalisation. Protesters have warned of a “mass movement” if demands over alleged JPSC and JSSC recruitment exam irregularities are not addressed, days after a tense Vidhan Sabha Gherao march.Jharkhand Students' Protests Live News Updates: Jharkhand’s student agitation entered its 12th day on Wednesday, with JLKM leader Devendra Nath Mahto continuing his hunger strike despite being hospitalised at Sadar Hospital in Ranchi. Mahto has been protesting demands raised by students over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations conducted by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC).The latest developments come two days after thousands of students took part in a ‘Vidhan Sabha Gherao’ march in Ranchi on August 10. Student leaders alleged that police used lathicharge, tear gas and water cannons to disperse protesters and also accused the administration of using force against media personnel covering the agitation.Student leader Ravindra Paswan claimed around 50,000 students participated in Monday’s march despite alleged attempts to prevent students from reaching Ranchi. He said the situation changed after 5 pm, when police allegedly began using batons to disperse protesters.Paswan appealed to Chief Minister Hemant Soren to resolve the students’ demands, warning that the agitation could expand beyond the current protests. “If our demands are not met, it would transform from a students' protest to a mass movement,” he said.JPSC, JSSC exam row fuels agitationThe students are demanding cancellation of the JSSC-CGL examination, a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into alleged irregularities and comprehensive reforms in the state’s recruitment process. Protesters have said the agitation will continue until their demands are addressed.Student leader Piyush Kumar also accused the Jharkhand administration of using force against students and media personnel during the Assembly march. He said protesters remained open to talks with the government but warned that “concrete steps” would follow if their demands were not accepted.The administration has also sought details of members of the protesters’ core committee, with student leaders saying they were cooperating with the request. Officials have held informal interactions with protesters, including those participating in the hunger strike, but student leaders said they had not received any formal communication from the government.With Mahto continuing his hunger strike and protesters maintaining their presence at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium, the standoff between the students and the Jharkhand government remains unresolved. Show more Show less1 New UpdateJharkhand students' protests enter 12th day; students warn of 'mass movement' as JPSC, JSSC exam row amplifiesJharkhand’s student agitation entered its 12th day on Wednesday, with JLKM leader Devendra Nath Mahto continuing his hunger strike despite being hospitalised at Sadar Hospital in Ranchi. Mahto has been protesting demands raised by students over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations conducted by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC).The latest developments come two days after thousands of students took part in a ‘Vidhan Sabha Gherao’ march in Ranchi on August 10. Student leaders alleged that police used lathicharge, tear gas and water cannons to disperse protesters and also accused the administration of using force against media personnel covering the agitation.Student leader Ravindra Paswan claimed around 50,000 students participated in Monday’s march despite alleged attempts to prevent students from reaching Ranchi. He said the situation changed after 5 pm, when police allegedly began using batons to disperse protesters.Paswan appealed to Chief Minister Hemant Soren to resolve the students’ demands, warning that the agitation could expand beyond the current protests. “If our demands are not met, it would transform from a students' protest to a mass movement,” he said.