Fasting student activist Devendra Nath Mahto clashed with police at a Ranchi hospital on Saturday after he was stopped from leaving the facility to join a Tiranga Yatra at a stadium on Independence Day. Mahto claimed he suffered a chest injury during the confrontation.

Mahto, who has been on a hunger strike for 14 days while protesting against alleged irregularities in Jharkhand’s recruitment examinations, questioned why he was being prevented from attending the march at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium.

“After 80 years, we have realised that we have got only nominal freedom. Under which provision of the Constitution am I being stopped?” Mahto said.

A video of the incident showed a security official blocking Mahto’s path as he tried to leave the hospital. Several workers of the Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha (JKLM), which Mahto belongs, are seen urging the official to allow him to join the Tiranga Yatra, while the official appeared to ask them to let the fasting activist rest.

– Ends

Published By:

Prateek Chakraborty

Published On:

Aug 15, 2026 13:48 IST