The ongoing protests by Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) aspirants over the cancellation of the 70th preliminary examination reached a boiling point on Sunday night, with police resorting to lathi charges to disperse demonstrators in Patna’s Gardanibagh area. The incident left many students injured and escalated tensions, with the aspirants accusing the authorities of suppressing their demands for a fair re-examination. The protest, which started on December 13, has gained momentum over the past weeks, with thousands of students gathering at various locations to voice their grievances.
Amid the chaos, political strategist-turned-politician Prashant Kishor, who had earlier pledged his support to the aspirants, faced backlash from the students. When Kishor arrived at the protest site late Sunday night, he was met with loud slogans of "Prashant Kishor, go back," as students expressed anger over his perceived absence during the police crackdown. Heated exchanges ensued, with Kishor’s remark, "You take blankets from us and then show us attitude?" adding fuel to the fire. The aspirants accused him of using their cause for political mileage and questioned his commitment, asking, "Where was Prashant Kishor during the lathi charge?"
Earlier, Kishor, the leader of Jan Suraj, had issued an ultimatum to the Bihar government, demanding that the students' issues be resolved within three days or he would lead protests himself. He had also called for an end to the alleged corruption in Bihar’s examination processes, positioning himself as an ally of the aggrieved candidates. However, the lathi charge and his absence at a critical moment seemed to have undermined his standing with the protesters.
On Monday, Kishor held a press conference to clarify his position and reaffirm his support for the students. He provided a detailed account of events, explaining that the "Chhatra Sansad" (Student Parliament) had decided the movement’s course and that prior permission for the march was unnecessary. He claimed the march was peaceful and aimed at submitting a memorandum to the authorities but was halted at JP Golambar, where an agreement was reached for a delegation to meet the Chief Secretary. Kishor stated that he left the site after advising the students to disperse, only for the lathi charge to occur 45 minutes later.
Kishor condemned the police action, describing it as unwarranted and brutal. He announced plans to file an FIR against the Patna Police, take the matter to court, and approach the Human Rights Commission. Additionally, he warned that if no resolution was reached during the delegation's meeting, he would join the protest himself starting January 2. Kishor also dismissed allegations from RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, who accused him of abandoning the students, reiterating that his actions were in their best interest.
The Bihar Police, however, has registered a case against Kishor and other members of his party, accusing them of instigating the protests and provoking students to create disturbances across the city. According to the police, Kishor’s involvement had escalated tensions and disrupted public order. Kishor refuted these claims, emphasizing that the protests were student-led and that his role was supportive rather than instigative.
Meanwhile, the protest continues to draw support from various quarters. Students have called for a re-examination, citing irregularities in the preliminary test, and demanded a meeting with Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to address their concerns. Thousands gathered at Gandhi Maidan on Sunday, turning the protest into a significant movement that has attracted the backing of key political leaders, educationists, and activists.
In a new development, a four-member delegation representing the protesters has reached the Governor’s residence to submit a memorandum outlining their demands. This step is seen as a critical moment in the ongoing agitation, as students hope to gain official recognition and a resolution to their grievances. The government’s response to the memorandum and the delegation’s meeting outcomes will likely shape the next phase of the protests.
The protests underscore growing discontent among Bihar’s youth, who see the alleged irregularities in the BPSC examination as part of a broader state governance failure. For many aspirants, the stakes are high, as these examinations are pivotal for securing government jobs. The situation also highlights the increasing pressure on political figures like Prashant Kishor, who, while attempting to align with public sentiment, risk alienating themselves if perceived as opportunistic or disconnected from the ground realities. With tensions running high and no immediate resolution in sight, the coming days will be crucial for both the protesters and the Bihar government.
