Jharkhand education minister dies during treatment at Chennai, State declares two-day mourning, last rites at native place 

CM terms the death as an irreparable loss

Ranchi, April 6: Jharkhand Education Minister Jagarnath Mahto died during treatment at MGM Healthcare hospital in Chennai on Thursday morning. The 56-year-old leader had undergone lung transplant in Mahatma Gandhi Mem Chennai after contracting Covid in November 2020.

Chief Minister Hemant Soren confirmed the senior Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) leader’s death and called it an “irreparable damage”.

“Our tiger Jagarnath Da is no more! Today, Jharkhand has lost one of its great agitators, combative, hardworking and popular leader. Respected Jagarnath Mahato ji passed away during treatment in Chennai,” tweeted Mr Soren.

May God give peace to the departed soul and give strength to the bereaved family to bear this difficult hour of grief, added the Chief Minister.

Mr Mahto, who represented the Dumri assembly seat in Giridih four times, was airlifted to Chennai after he fell ill during the state budget session last month.

He is survived by a son and four daughters. The state government has declared a two-day mourning period and also cancelled a cabinet meeting scheduled this evening.

Former Jharkhand Chief Minister and BJP leader Babulal Marandi also condoled the JMM leader’s death, saying, “The departure of Jagarnath Ji, who fought like a warrior while defeating the disease for a long time, is very sad. Personally, I had always admired his vitality despite political differences.”

He studied till Class 10, and was in news in 2020 for taking admission in Class 11 to complete his studies. However, just before the exam, Mr Mahto tested COVID-19 positive and had to be admitted to a hospital in Chennai. He remained in a coma for a long time and had to undergo a lung transplant. Mr Mahto returned to his state only after nine months of continuous treatment.

Dumri Assembly seat has been a stronghold of JMM with Mr Mahto representing it seat since 2000. In 2014 Assembly elections, hr received 77,984 votes, defeating his closest opponent was Lalchand Mahto, who fought the election on a BJP ticket.

He was airlifted to MGM Chennai after his health condition suddenly deteriorated and he did not show any sign of improvement at Paras Hospital in the Jharkhand capital on March 14. Mahto had been suffering from lung problems after he underwent lung transplantation after being infected by COVID-19. His health has not been stable since then.

Tamil Nadu chief minister M K Stalin also tweeted condoling Jagarnath Mahato’s demise.

Mahto, a matriculate, came into the limelight when he enrolled in a school in Bokaro, which was set up by him in 2006, to complete his studies. Mahto said he has taken admission as an Inter-Arts student to remove the blot of being termed an ‘under-qualified’ education minister.

The mortal remains of late Minister Jagarnath Mahato will be brought to Ranchi by plane on Friday and his mortal remains will be kept in the Vidhan Sabha for the last darshan. Chief Minister Hemant Soren himself will go to Birsa Munda Airport at around 7.30 am and take his mortal remains to the assembly. After the last darshan in the assembly, the body of late Jagarnath Mahato will be taken to his village via the party office and his last rites will be performed with full respect.