Jan Suraaj chief Prashant Kishor began an indefinite hunger strike on Thursday at Gandhi Maidan, Patna, protesting against the alleged Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) examination paper leak and demanding its cancellation. He joined students demonstrating against the December 13 Integrated Combined (Preliminary) Competitive Examination (CCE) 2024.
Key Developments:
- Kishor Defies Protest Restrictions:
- The Patna district administration directed protesters to vacate Gandhi Maidan and shift to Gardanibagh, the designated protest site as per a 2015 Patna High Court judgment.
- Kishor rejected the directive, stating:”If someone can protest on the streets in Delhi, why can’t we protest in Gandhi Maidan? We are protesting peacefully.”
- Criticism of Government:
- Kishor criticized Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, accusing his government of being “egoistic” for failing to engage with the protesting students.
- He added:”This is not the British Raj where the collector issues an order, and the public salutes.”
- Student Concerns and Police Action:
- Protesters allege that students demonstrating peacefully were beaten up by authorities.
- Aspirants demand the cancellation of the exam, citing the paper leak as a violation of fairness and merit.
- Official Response:
- Patna Sub-Divisional Magistrate Gaurav Kumar warned of action against those refusing to vacate Gandhi Maidan, reiterating the legal requirement to use Gardanibagh for protests.
- He stated:”They have been given notice and time to shift their protest.”
Political Involvement:
- Leaders from the Congress and CPI-ML marched to the Raj Bhavan on Tuesday to seek intervention from the Governor over the BPSC issue. Police stopped them before they could reach the Governor’s residence.
Background:
The December 13 BPSC exam is at the center of controversy following allegations of a paper leak, leading to widespread anger among aspirants. Kishor’s hunger strike reflects mounting frustration over perceived government inaction.
What’s Next:
The protests are expected to intensify as Kishor’s hunger strike garners attention. The Bihar government’s response will be closely watched, particularly amid ongoing demands for fairness and accountability in the examination process.