Sonam Wangchuk Calls Jharkhand Hunger Striker Devendra Mahto, Urges Him to Drink Water

RANCHI — Ladakh education activist Sonam Wangchuk on Wednesday intervened by video call to convince Jharkhand student leader Devendra Nath Mahto to end his water fast, warning him that refusing water alongside a hunger strike amounted to "suicide." Mahto, 33, who had not consumed water since August 2 as part of an indefinite hunger strike over alleged recruitment-exam irregularities, agreed to drink water but declared he would not eat food until the state government meets the protesters' demands.

The 10-minute call, confirmed by Mahto and captured in a clip circulating on social media, links two of the most visible student-led agitations this summer: the NEET paper-leak protests at Jantar Mantar that forced Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation, and the ongoing JPSC-JSSC agitation in Jharkhand that entered its 11th day on Wednesday.

What we can verify

Wangchuk's direct intervention: During a video call on 5 August, Wangchuk told Mahto, who was leading the hunger strike at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium in Ranchi, that "giving up water in addition to observing a hunger strike was equivalent to suicide," according to ABP Live. India Today reported Wangchuk "expressed solidarity with the protesting students and voiced concern over the 33-year-old leader's deteriorating health." He urged Mahto "to at least consume water while continuing his fight for the students' demands."

Mahto drank water but continues the strike: Following the call, Mahto told reporters he had been unwell and agreed to take water on Wangchuk's request. "I was not keeping well, but on Sonam Wangchuk ji's request, I took water," Mahto said, according to India Today. He added: "I will not consume food until the government fulfills our demands. I have only taken water." ABP Live quoted Mahto saying he would consume "only water and salt" and would not eat food.

Protest timeline and demands: The Jharkhand agitation began July 25 as a "Satyagraha" over alleged irregularities in the 14th JPSC Combined Civil Services preliminary results and broader JSSC examination issues. An indefinite hunger strike by Mahto and five others started August 2, according to ABP Live and India Today. Core demands include:

• Cancellation of the 14th JPSC preliminary examination
• Comprehensive reforms in JPSC and JSSC
• A CBI investigation or an independent panel of retired High Court judges from outside Jharkhand to probe the alleged irregularities

Government response: Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Tuesday said his government was taking the concerns "seriously" and would announce a decision "at an appropriate time." The state CID has arrested 11 people, questioned former JPSC chairperson L Khiangte four times, and conducted raids at 18 locations across five districts, per The Indian Express's Day 11 report.

Cross-movement solidarity: Mahto appealed to Wangchuk to visit Ranchi: "I will break my hunger strike only when you come to meet us. Sir, I request you to come here. We have great respect for you," he said during the call, per India Today. Wangchuk, who led a 26-day hunger strike in Ladakh earlier this year, replied: "You need some time, but it could 2-3 weeks as well, and I hope that the government will understand and make the right decision," according to ABP Live.

Protest escalation: Five more people joined the indefinite hunger strike on Tuesday under the banner of the JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch, ABP Live reported. Spokesperson Jivan Kumar said the group's core committee would soon decide on organising a 'Tiranga March' in support of the protesters. The Monsoon Session of the Jharkhand Assembly begins Thursday, raising pressure on the Soren government.

What remains unverified

• Exact medical condition of Devendra Mahto and the other five hunger strikers — no hospital or official medical bulletin cited.
• Whether Wangchuk will visit Ranchi as requested — no confirmation from Wangchuk's team.
• Specific details of the "26 years of paper leaks" claim Mahto made on the call ("Papers have been leaking here for 26 years") — no independent audit cited.
• Whether the government will accept the demand for a CBI probe or an independent judicial panel before the Assembly session.
• Scale of the planned 'Tiranga March' — no headcount or route confirmed.

Context

Wangchuk's intervention marks the first direct link between the national CJP-linked student movement and the Jharkhand agitation. On 3 August, Cockroach Janta Party founder Abhijeet Dipke held a video call with the Ranchi protesters, extending organisational solidarity. The Indian Express reported on 4 August that Chief Minister Soren broke his silence on Day 11, stating the government "stands with the youth." The Supreme Court's recent order dropping FIRs against NEET protesters in Delhi has provided a legal backdrop that student protests over exam integrity should not be criminalised.

Jharkhand's JPSC and JSSC examinations have faced repeated controversies over alleged question-paper leaks in recent years. The current protest is the longest sustained agitation yet, with the Chief Minister's direct engagement marking a political inflection point.

This is a developing story. Updates will follow as the government responds ahead of the Monsoon Session.