Patna (Bihar) [India], December 30: Jan Suraaj Chief Prashant Kishore on Monday gave a 48-hour deadline to the Bihar government, led by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, to address the demands of students protesting over irregularities in the 70th Integrated Combined Competitive Examination (CCE), 2024.
Kishore also vowed to take legal action against officials involved in the lathi charge on protesting students. “We have decided to give the government 48 hours… I urge leaders who want to lead the protest to come forward and support the students. While I was there with them, no lathi charge took place. Any official involved in the lathi charge will face legal action,” he stated.
Kishore also thanked the Bihar Chief Secretary for meeting him and the students, though he expressed disappointment that no decision was made during the meeting. “We presented our case to the Chief Secretary, but no decision was taken. Perhaps he needs to consult with the CM. The government has 48 hours to act. If the CM is willing, we and the students are ready to meet him. However, if there is no action within this time, the students will make their own decision regarding the protest,” Kishore added.
The students, who have been protesting in Patna, are demanding the cancellation of the December 13 Integrated Combined (Preliminary) Competitive Examination (CCE) conducted by the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC). They allege irregularities in the exam process.
On Sunday, the Bihar police used water cannons and lathi-charged the protesting students in Gandhi Maidan. In response, the police registered an FIR against 600-700 individuals, including Kishore, accusing them of unauthorized gatherings, instigating violence, and disrupting public order.
The Patna administration issued an official statement explaining the incident. “The Jan Suraaj Party was denied permission to organize a ‘Chhatra Sansad’ in front of the Gandhi statue. Despite this, a crowd gathered, causing a law and order situation. The crowd clashed with police and damaged loudspeakers installed by the administration. Despite repeated requests to disperse, they violated the guidelines, forcing the use of water cannons and other measures to restore order.”
The FIR filed at the Gandhi Maidan police station includes charges against Kishore and other individuals for creating disturbances and instigating unlawful gatherings.