Protests by Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) aspirants demanding the cancellation of the 70th BPSC examination turned violent on Sunday night after police resorted to lathi-charge on the protesters. The situation escalated when political strategist-turned-politician Prashant Kishor, who had expressed support for the students, became the target of their anger.
The protests, which began on December 13, intensified as a large group of BPSC aspirants gathered at Patna’s Gardanibagh on Sunday night. The students, who had faced the police lathi-charge earlier in the evening, vented their frustration at Kishor, accusing him of being absent during the clash. As Kishor arrived at the protest site, he was met with chants of “Prashant Kishor, go back.” This prompted heated exchanges between Kishor and student leaders, with the protesters demanding to know where he had been during the police action. Tensions soared further when Kishor remarked, “You take blankets from us and then show us attitude?”
Kishor’s comments sparked more outrage among the students, who were already upset over the police action. They questioned his absence during the lathi-charge, which had further fueled the unrest. Earlier in the day, Kishor had voiced his support for the protesters, calling for an end to corruption in the examination process and giving an ultimatum to the Bihar government to address the demands within three days.
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The protests, which have garnered widespread backing from politicians, educationists, and activists, are calling for the re-examination of the 70th BPSC preliminary examination. Thousands of aspirants also demanded a meeting with Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. On Monday, Kishor addressed the press, countering the allegations of abandoning the students. He claimed that the student-led movement had been organized peacefully, with no prior permission required for the march. He explained that he had advised students to disperse before the lathi-charge occurred and condemned the police’s actions.
Kishor announced his intention to file an FIR against the Patna Police, take the matter to court, and approach the Human Rights Commission. He also warned that if the situation remained unresolved after a delegation meeting, he would join the protest on January 2. In response to RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav’s criticism, Kishor dismissed accusations that he had deserted the students.
In the aftermath, the Bihar Police filed a case against Kishor and others, accusing them of instigating the protest and inciting disturbances across the city. Meanwhile, a four-member delegation of protesters reached the Governor’s residence to submit a memorandum on behalf of the aspirants.
