Bihar Students Clash with Police in Patna Over BPSC Exam Controversy, FIR Filed Against Prashant Kishor

Bihar Students Clash with Police in Patna Over BPSC Exam Controversy, FIR Filed Against Prashant Kishor

Student demonstrations in Patna grew more intense on Sunday, bringing the situation around the purported Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) question paper leak to a head. Claims of anomalies in the 70th BPSC preliminary exam prompted protesters to march towards Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s home and demand a re-examination of the exam.

Police reacted by using water cannons and light lathi charges to disperse the gathering as demonstrators burst over barriers near JP Golambar as the march moved closer to the CM House. Political strategist Prashant Kishor and more than 600 other people were charged with involvement in the incident in a formal complaint.

Conflicts with the police resulted from students’ unwavering determination to enclose the CM’s home despite the heightened security. Aspirants have been expressing their complaints about the problem during protests in the Gardanibagh region for several days.

Source: ANI

The police asked the students to leave the area, but the students maintained that their protest was apolitical and just intended to obtain a re-examination. Although the demonstrators refused to cooperate, SP City Sweety Sahrawat stated that the authorities were willing to listen to the student’s requests. The Patna government accused the demonstrators of damaging government-installed loudspeakers and disturbing public order, which heightened tensions.

Prashant Kishor Joins the Protest, Urges for Resolution

On Sunday, Prashant Kishor, a political strategist and leader of the Jan Suraaj Party, joined the students to give support and advise that a five-member student delegation meet with the Bihar Government Secretary to discuss the matter. Kishor urged the demonstrators to temporarily put an end to the agitation, promising to make a decision on future steps based on the government’s response.

He told the students that representatives of the government had consented to talk about their requests and that more demonstrations would be taken into consideration if the results were not satisfactory. In addition, Kishor advised the students to refrain from breaking the law and pledged to support them fully if their demands were not fulfilled.

Kishor had previously planned a student assembly known as a “Chhatra Sansad” near Mahatma Gandhi’s monument at Gandhi Maidan, but the event was not authorized by the government. Nevertheless, a sizable crowd gathered near the monument, resulting in altercations with law enforcement.

Political Backlash and Support

Political parties have issued disapproval of the protests. According to RJD leader Sanjay Yadav, the BPSC students’ demands were for the future of the state and the country, and he voiced support with them. Yadav urged the administration to pay attention to the students’ issues and strongly condemned the police for employing force against them.

Congress also denounced the NDA administration led by Nitish Kumar’s activities, especially the deployment of water cannons and lathi charges against young people. They asked for a frank discussion with the students and chastised the administration for not addressing the problem of test jacking.

BPSC Chairman Responds to Allegations

The 70th Integrated Combined Preliminary Examination (CCE) 2024 was held on December 13 and, in spite of increasing pressure, the BPSC Chairman decided against canceling it. However, the commission declared that applicants who took the exam in the Bapu Pariksha Parisar location in Patna, where it was interrupted by a deadly event involving an official, would be given another chance to take it. The re-examination will be held at a different location on January 4, 2025.

Also Read: Bodycam Footage Reveals New York Inmate Beaten by Officers Before Death

Additionally, 34 applicants who were reportedly involved in the disruption at the exam site have received show-cause notes from the BPSC. The students continue to demand a just conclusion, while the BPSC maintains its position in the face of the escalating issue.