A police case has been filed against Prashant Kishore, a prominent election strategist turned political leader, and several members of his Jan Suraaj party, along with coaching centre owners and 700 unidentified protesters, following the massive student protests in Bihar on Sunday. The authorities have accused the group of unlawfully gathering people, inciting unrest, and disturbing public order.
The Jan Suraaj Party, according to the police, held an unauthorized protest march that led a large crowd towards Patna’s Gandhi Maidan. The protest escalated into violence, with demonstrators damaging police loudspeakers and clashing with officers and magistrates on duty. The police stated that despite multiple requests from the administration, the protestors violated public guidelines, causing chaos and disrupting public order.
On Sunday, the students, who were aspirants for the Bihar Public Service Commission, had gathered to demand a re-test for the 70th Combined Competitive Examination after allegations of a paper leak. The protest began at Gandhi Maidan, where students later marched toward JP Golambar, intending to proceed to Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s residence. They hoped to meet the Chief Minister to address their concerns.
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Prashant Kishore had expressed full support for the students and participated in their march towards JP Golambar. He also announced that a delegation of students would meet the Chief Secretary. However, the students refused to meet anyone other than the Chief Minister, which led to police action. The situation escalated when the authorities used batons and water cannons to disperse the protestors.
Earlier, Prashant Kishore had planned a “Chhatra Sansad” at Gandhi Maidan on Saturday, coinciding with Gandhi Jayanti, to discuss students’ concerns and strategize future actions. However, the local administration denied permission for the event.
Jan Suraaj, which transformed into a political party in October 2024, intends to contest all seats in the upcoming Bihar assembly elections. The party emerged after Kishor’s extensive travels and campaigns across the state over the past two years. Kishore has vowed to bring a shift in electoral politics, focusing more on issues than on populist promises.
