Prashant Kishor, a prominent election strategist who has now shifted his focus to politics with the formation of the Jan Suraaj Party, has been in the midst of a storm following his hunger strike in support of Bihar students demanding the cancellation of the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) exam. This exam, held on December 13, has come under scrutiny after allegations surfaced of a paper leak. Students who appeared for the exam have been protesting for weeks, demanding justice and a fair examination process. In an effort to amplify their voice and show solidarity with the students, Kishor initiated an indefinite fast-unto-death on Thursday, under the iconic statue of Mahatma Gandhi at Patna's Gandhi Maidan. His protest has been backed by a large group of students, many of whom have also been protesting for days, camping out at various locations in the city.
However, what was intended to be a peaceful and symbolic demonstration has taken an unexpected and controversial turn. Amidst the hunger strike, photos began circulating on social media showing Kishor’s luxury vanity van parked at the protest site. This raised eyebrows and quickly turned into a topic of debate. Social media users and political opponents criticized the juxtaposition of a high-end vanity van, typically associated with celebrities or politicians, with the image of a leader sitting on a hunger strike for a cause. The stark contrast between Kishor’s comfortable surroundings and the plight of the protesting students led to questions regarding his commitment to their cause.
Responding to this controversy, Jan Suraaj Party spokesperson Vivek swiftly defended Kishor, dismissing the entire issue as a distraction. He argued that the focus should remain on the real concern— the future of the students and the alleged BPSC exam paper leak. “This is not an issue. The issue is the future of the candidates,” Vivek stated, emphasizing that political opponents were intentionally attempting to defame Kishor by highlighting his vanity van. He called for the political discourse to stay focused on the central issue: the students’ demands for justice and a fair examination system. Kishor himself has remained steadfast in his stance, reiterating his commitment to the cause and promising to continue his fast until the issue is resolved.
Meanwhile, the protest, which began peacefully, has led to a series of legal and political complications. On Sunday, a massive student protest took place, which resulted in a clash with the police. Kishor and other leaders of his party, along with coaching center owners and 700 unidentified protesters, have been named in a police case filed for allegedly instigating unrest and disturbing public peace. Police had to deploy water cannons to disperse the protesting students, and the situation took a dramatic turn when a confrontation broke out between Kishor and some of the BPSC aspirants. The students accused Kishor of trying to intimidate them during the protest, a claim which he vehemently denied.
Kishor, instead, placed the blame squarely on Bihar’s Chief Minister, Nitish Kumar, accusing him of arrogance in handling the protest. “The arrogance of Nitish Kumar is the reason these students are still protesting,” Kishor said, pointing to the state government's perceived failure to address the grievances of the students in a timely and effective manner. Kishor has also voiced his concern about the state government's alleged indifference to the difficulties faced by the students, adding that the government’s actions and responses have only fueled the unrest.
The tensions surrounding the protest have brought the issue of corruption, transparency, and accountability within the BPSC to the forefront of the political discourse in Bihar. Students are demanding a thorough investigation into the alleged paper leak, and many have expressed doubts over the fairness of the entire examination process. The controversy over Kishor’s luxury vanity van, while certainly attracting attention, has not overshadowed the larger issue of a fair and transparent examination system, which has now become a key political talking point.
As the protest continues, it remains to be seen how the state government, law enforcement agencies, and Kishor’s party will navigate the legal challenges and political fallout. Kishor, despite the ongoing controversy, remains committed to his fast and has vowed to stay at the Gandhi Maidan until the students' demands are met. The growing support for the protest, both from students and others sympathetic to their cause, has kept the issue alive in the media.
What started as a hunger strike for the students has now become a larger political battleground, with Kishor facing scrutiny over his role in the protest, the legal challenges emerging from the unrest, and the controversy surrounding his luxury van. However, despite the distractions, Kishor remains determined to stand by the students, and his party continues to push for a resolution to the issues surrounding the BPSC exam.
