On 15th August, India is celebrating its 80th Independence Day. However, Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha (JLKM) leader Devendra Nath Mahto, who has been on a hunger strike since 2nd August, was stopped by the police from participating in the Tiranga Yatra at the Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium.
Taking to X, Devendra Nath Mahto shared a video showing the police officials stopping him from stepping out of the Sadar Hospital room, and wrote, “After expressing my desire to participate in the flag hoisting and Tricolour March organised at the protest site, Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium, a heavy police force has been deployed outside my room in the Sadar Hospital. What kind of freedom is this, after all? Are we not even free to hoist the Tricolour and participate in the Tricolour March in our own country? Despite the difficult circumstances, I want to join this program in a peaceful manner.”
14 दिनों से भूख हड़ताल पर बैठे मेरे साथ आज पुलिस द्वारा धक्का-मुक्की और बलपूर्वक रोकने की कोशिश की गई। मेरे साथ मौजूद साथियों के साथ भी पुलिस द्वारा मारपीट की गई।
— Devendra Nath Mahto (@DevendraNathMa9) August 15, 2026
कई दिनों से भूखा होने के बावजूद मैं अपने अधिकार और जनता की आवाज़ के लिए खड़ा हूँ। हमें इस तरह रोककर हमारी आवाज़ को… pic.twitter.com/TRxMaMkBqR
Notably, during the recent Vidhan Sabha Gherao march, Devendra Nath Mahto was severely injured after the police resorted to a lathicharge to crush the protest. Following this, Mahto was admitted to Sadar Hospital.
Thousands of protestors continue their peaceful agitation at the Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium site to demand accountability for the systemic irregularities in the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC) recruitment examinations.
