Devendra Nath Mahto, who launched an indefinite fast on August 2 to support students protesting against irregularities in recruitment examinations in Jharkhand, is a student leader from a village in Ranchi. He completed his schooling in Bundu and has a Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) degree from Hazaribagh. He contested 2024 Jharkhand elections from Tamar constituency as an Independent candidate.