Jharkhand student leader Mahto, who led JPSC protest says youth want solutions, not just political dialogue

In a message to political parties, Jharkhand student leader Devendra Nath Mahto said on Aug 23 that holding dialogues with youth "should not be limited to political discussions".

After leading the protest over alleged irregularities and paper leaks in recruitment examinations in Jharkhand, Mahto said that a new protest demanding reforms in the state's recruitment system will begin from tomorrow.

Though the previous agitation was called off after the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha-led state government cancelled the 11th and 13th Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) examinations and the appointments made through them, the High Court had subsequently stayed the state government's decision.

Speaking to IANS, the student leader said: "The protest will begin from Nemra village in the state's Ramgarh district, which is also former Jharkhand Chief Minister late Shibu Soren's paternal village," he said.

"Our only goal is justice, we need some strong steps...we are now not going to stop at assurances and dialogue," the student leader emphasised.

When asked about the Bharatiya Janata Party forming a committee for its Gen Z outreach programme, Mahto said: "Although the BJP’s initiative is welcome, there should be dialogue, but today’s youth do not want only dialogue and questions; they want concrete solutions. They want an answer through dialogue that their future should not be played with."

He added that youth across the country need a solution to the problems of paper leaks and unemployment.

"Dialogue is welcome, but it should not remain limited to political discussions. It should reach a decision and should not merely prove to be a slogan. Youth won't agree if attempts are made to suppress this anger through dialogue," he asserted.

Referring to protests in Delhi and Jharkhand, the student leader said: "Today’s youth are not with any political party, or in favour of or against anyone. Today’s youth are struggling only for their future and to reform this rotten system. That is why agitation took place at a BJP-ruled state as well as a non-BJP ruled state."

"Therefore, nobody can say that today’s youth are carrying out their agitation under pressure from the ruling party or Opposition, or on someone’s direction," he stressed.

Reacting to the FIRs registered against 14 identified students and others, Mahto termed it as "dictatorial attitude" of the state government.

He however admitted that the protesters had "accepted this fact even before leaving homes, that fighting this system is not going to be easy".

"Uprooting this corrupt system from its roots is not going to be easy. There will be many difficulties on this path. FIRs, jail term, police action or 'lathi' blows on our bodies, allegations and counter-allegations—these are part of the path of struggle," he said.

Pointing to the struggles of freedom fighters, including Birsa Munda, Bhagat Singh, Subhas Chandra Bose, Mahatma Gandhi and BR Ambedkar, Devendra Nath Mahto said: "Let the government and administration do their work and act according to law and order. We have faith in the Judiciary and the Constitution."

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