Bihar Sees Violent Protests Over Exam Allegations; Prashant Kishor Named in FIR
Patna witnessed intense clashes on Sunday as students protesting alleged irregularities in the 70th Combined Competitive Examination clashed with police. The demonstrators, comprising Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) aspirants, were demanding a re-test after claims of a paper leak surfaced. The Bihar Protests escalated, leading to the filing of an FIR against election strategist-turned-politician Prashant Kishor, leaders of his Jan Suraaj Party, coaching center owners, and 700 unidentified protesters.
#WATCH | Bihar | BPSC aspirants continue their protest in Patna’s Gandhi Maidan, demanding a re-exam to be held for the 70th BPSC prelims pic.twitter.com/a0iiVJK9PN
— ANI (@ANI) December 29, 2024
Protests Turn Violent Near Gandhi Maidan
The protest began with students assembling at Patna’s iconic Gandhi Maidan. They marched towards JP Golambar with the intent of proceeding to Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s residence to discuss their grievances. However, the protest turned chaotic when the students refused to engage with the Chief Secretary, insisting on meeting the Chief Minister directly.
#WATCH | Bihar | Police use mild-lathi charge and water cannon to disperse the BPSC aspirants protesting in Patna’s Gandhi Maidan, demanding a re-exam to be held for the 70th BPSC prelims pic.twitter.com/R0hxqArAYv
— ANI (@ANI) December 29, 2024
As the situation intensified, police resorted to using water cannons and batons to disperse the crowd. The authorities accused the protesters of disrupting public order, damaging police equipment, and clashing with officers on duty.
Allegations Against Prashant Kishor and Jan Suraaj
Prashant Kishor, who had joined the students during their march to JP Golambar, expressed solidarity with their demands. However, the police claim that the Jan Suraaj Party organized the protest march without prior approval, violating administrative guidelines. The party and its leaders have been accused of instigating the unrest and gathering people “unauthorizedly.”
The FIR alleges that the protests not only disrupted law and order but also caused damage to public property and endangered public safety.
#WATCH | Bihar | Police use mild-lathi charge and water cannon to disperse the BPSC aspirants protesting in Patna’s Gandhi Maidan, demanding a re-exam to be held for the 70th BPSC prelims pic.twitter.com/qA2enS4Llq
— ANI (@ANI) December 29, 2024
Chhatra Sansad Event Denied Permission
Ahead of the protests, Prashant Kishor had called for a “Chhatra Sansad” (Students’ Parliament) on Saturday, coinciding with Gandhi Jayanti, to address student concerns and strategize future actions. However, the city administration denied permission for the event, citing public safety concerns.
Jan Suraaj’s Political Aspirations
Jan Suraaj, a political entity formally launched in October 2024 after Kishor’s extensive two-year statewide yatra, aims to bring a transformative approach to Bihar’s electoral politics. The party has positioned itself as a challenger to traditional political dynamics, advocating a shift from populist sops to addressing systemic issues. It plans to contest all seats in the upcoming Bihar assembly elections.
Background
The protests highlight growing dissatisfaction among Bihar’s youth regarding competitive examinations and governance. While the government faces criticism over alleged exam irregularities, the involvement of Prashant Kishor and Jan Suraaj has added a political dimension to the unrest.
As investigations continue, the Bihar Protests could significantly impact the state’s political landscape, particularly ahead of the elections.
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