​​​​​​​Ranchi, August 15: As India celebrated its 80th Independence Day on Saturday, thousands of student protesters carrying the Tricolour marched peacefully through the streets of Ranchi, turning the city into a sea of saffron, white, and green.

The Tiranga Yatra began at the Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium, where students have been staging a protest against alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations conducted by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC).

Rupesh, who completed the 13th day of his hunger strike, joined the march in a wheelchair. Despite his deteriorating health, he said the overwhelming support and affection from people had given him renewed energy.

“We have raised our voice against the system and have complete faith that the government will fulfil our demands on August 15. We have been on hunger strike for 13 days, but the love and support we are receiving keep us energetic,” he said.

Another protester on hunger strike said it was disappointing that their demands remained unaddressed even as the country celebrated Independence Day.

“While the entire country is celebrating Tiranga Diwas, we have been sitting in protest for 12 days and the government is still not ready to fulfil our demands,” she said.

Meanwhile, Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha (JLKM) leader Devendra Nath Mahto was allegedly prevented by police from participating in the Tiranga Yatra at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium. Mahto, who has been on an indefinite hunger strike since August 2, entered the 14th day of his fast on Saturday.

He was admitted to Sadar Hospital after the Ranchi Vidhan Sabha Gherao protest turned chaotic, with police allegedly resorting to baton charges, tear gas and water cannons to disperse the students. Two other protesters, Umme Habiba and Rahul Kranti, were also hospitalised after their health deteriorated.

Habiba said she too wished to join the Independence Day programme despite her condition.

“The entire country is celebrating Independence Day. I do not want to remain confined here. I also want to participate in the Tiranga Yatra. The administration can try to stop me, but I will go. This is my love for the country,” she said.

Earlier in the day, Mahto claimed that heavy police deployment had been made outside his hospital room after he expressed his intention to participate in the flag-hoisting ceremony and Tricolour march.

“After I expressed my desire to participate in the flag-hoisting and Tricolour March organised at the protest site at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium, a heavy police force was deployed outside my room at Sadar Hospital. What kind of freedom is this? Are we not even free to hoist the Tricolour and participate in a Tricolour march in our own country?” Mahto said in a post on X.

He added that despite the difficult circumstances, he wanted to participate in the programme peacefully.