Activist Devendra Nath Mahto Joins Jharkhand Assembly March After Hunger Strike
Devendra Nath Mahto's Determined Stand
After enduring a nine-day hunger strike, activist Devendra Nath Mahto was brought to the protest site via ambulance to participate in the march towards the Jharkhand Assembly. Lying on a stretcher, Mahto asserted that the protesters would not be stopped and emphasized that the government must address their demands. He stated, "Despite being on a hunger strike, I made it here. They cannot prevent us. I arrived by ambulance and am now moving forward on a stretcher. I have been fasting for the past nine days, and the government must fulfill our demands."
Call for Peaceful Protests
Speaking to reporters in Ranchi, Mahto urged protesters to avoid violence similar to that witnessed during the 'Cockroach People's Party' march to Parliament on July 20 regarding the NEET paper leak. He criticized the state government for not addressing the students' demands. Mahto, who lost approximately 10.5 kg due to his fast, remarked that he is not a deity but an ordinary person, and his personal life remains unchanged. He expressed that he could not refrain from joining the march towards the Assembly when hundreds were participating in the movement.
Government Accountability and Student Support
Mahto questioned why the government seeks chaos and why it refuses to meet the students' demands. He expressed gratitude to the students for their participation in the protests and thanked the media for their coverage. However, he appealed for maintaining peace, stating, "I do not want students to resort to actions like those at Jantar Mantar... Today is Hemant Soren's birthday. We should not promote chaos or violence. If the government ignores the students' demands, it will be seen as a murder of democracy. Nevertheless, I am here today to support the protest. I am merely the voice of the students."
Students Remain Resolute
In Ranchi, student protesters are steadfast in their commitment to march to the Assembly. According to reports, one protester mentioned, "I have been stopped, but we will proceed peacefully towards the Assembly. We will not stop until our demands are met."