'What kind of freedom is this?': Mahto stopped from attending Tiranga Yatra

Devendra Nath Mahto was allegedly stopped by police from participating in a Tiranga Yatra at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium on Saturday as India celebrated its 80th Independence Day.

RANCHI: Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha (JLKM) leader Devendra Nath Mahto was allegedly stopped by police from participating in a Tiranga Yatra at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium on Saturday as India celebrated its 80th Independence Day.The stadium is currently the main protest site, where thousands of people are demonstrating against alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations conducted by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC).

Mahto has entered his 14th day of an indefinite hunger strike, having been on the fast since August 2. He was admitted to Sadar Hospital after the Ranchi Vidhan Sabha Gherao march turned chaotic, with police using lathicharges, tear gas and water cannons against protesting students.Earlier in the day, Mahto said a heavy police deployment could be seen outside his hospital room after he expressed a desire to join the flag-hoisting march."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," Mahto posted on X.

Meanwhile, Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren assured that the state government was working towards ensuring transparency in examinations, particularly those conducted by bodies such as the JPSC and JSSC."For me, the youth of the state are very important to me and their faith in us. We have decided to bring changes in the system. Transparent examination will be ensured," Soren said while addressing the gathering at a state-level Independence Day celebration.He said the state government has initiated "Chhatron Ki Baat - Chhatron Ke Sath" and sought suggestions from students to improve the education system. He said students' contribution remains crucial to establishing a "good education system".However, Mahto earlier issued a fervent appeal from his medical bed, cautioning participants against active attempts to derail and fracture the student movement in Jharkhand.He alleged that external elements were trying to divert the direction of the protests nearly a month after their inception, and urged participants not to let the movement break or scatter.Meanwhile, student leader Ravinder Paswan said earlier in the day that on the occasion of the 80th Independence Day, students protesting in Jharkhand would only talk about the country's freedom and refrain from putting forth their demands before the government.(With inputs from ANI)