NEW DELHI: Patna Police detained Jan Suraaj chief Prashant Kishor on Monday as he continued his indefinite hunger strike at Gandhi Maidan, protesting against the alleged Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) exam paper leak. This came as the police cleared the protest site and conducted thorough vehicle checks around the area.
Prashant Kishor, who launched his fast-unto-death on January 2, stood in solidarity with students demanding the cancellation of the BPSC examination over reported irregularities.
The Jan Suraaj founder began his fast-unto-death on January 2 in solidarity with students demanding the cancellation of Bihar Public Service Commission examination due to reported irregularities.
Police officials transferred Kishor to an ambulance during his detention. Prior to this, he announced plans to submit a petition in the high court on January 7 concerning BPSC irregularities.
Soon after Kishor’s detention, a clash broke out between Patna Police and supporters of Jan Suraaj chief Prashant Kishor.
“It is not a matter of decision for us whether we will continue this (protest) or not. We will continue doing what we are doing now, there will be no change in it…We (Jan Suraaj Party) will file a petition in the High Court on the 7th,” said Prashant Kishor.
On Sunday, Kishor joined protesting students at Gandhi Maidan in Patna. He called upon RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav to spearhead the protest, citing Yadav’s position as Leader of Opposition.
“He (Tejashwi Yadav) is a tall leader. He is also the LoP. He should have led the protests. I have been telling them to lead the protest. We will step aside. He said that he was coming to Gandhi Maidan with five lakh people. Students (and their issues) should be talked about. Politics can happen whenever. We don’t have any party banner here. We care about the agenda of the students,” said Prashant Kishor.
“This is not a dharna. This is the passion of the people of Bihar to better their conditions, to secure a better future. In this cold weather, some are singing and you can see people from across the board sitting here. I am tired of answering accusations. Look around, and spot the vanity van if you can. We will sleep here too,” he added.
On Saturday, Tejashwi Yadav criticised the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for exploiting the BPSC protest for political gains.
He claimed that the student-led protest had been infiltrated by BJP supporters, claiming that the participants were effectively operating as an extension of the BJP.
“It is being completely politicised. We feel that the people of Bihar will have to recognise these people who are the BJP’s ‘B’ team and are trying to crush this independent movement. This is highly condemnable,” he said.
Regarding the controversy about Jan Suraaj Chief Prashant Kishor’s vanity van, Yadav said, “An attempt was made to end the movement. Actors sit in the vanity van and the producer and the director make them sit, we know who is the producer who the director is, and why the actor was made to sit. Everyone knows.”
Students are demanding the nullification of the Integrated Combined (Preliminary) Competitive Examination (CCE) 2024, administered by the BPSC on December 13, following claims of question paper distribution before the examination.
The BPSC aspirants have been demanding a re-test for the 70th Combined Competitive Preliminary Examination (CCE Prelims). Kishore had joined the aspirants at Patna’s Gandhi Maidan.