The protests by BPSC aspirants continue in Patna. Following the police action yesterday (December 29), students have called for a Bihar shutdown today. Amid this, Jan Suraj Party's Chief, Prashant Kishor, is being targeted by the students. A video related to PK is circulating widely on social media, where it's claimed that the disgruntled students forced Prashant Kishor to leave the protest site. This video was also shared on the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) social media account.
According to the claims, in the video, PK is seen addressing the students, 'These newly emerged leaders have arrived. Listen to me... You just asked us for blankets and now you're acting like leaders.' The students were agitated by this remark, questioning who asked him for a blanket, and accusing him of using it to assert dominance. In another video, students are seen chanting 'Go Back' slogans against Prashant Kishor. It is said that the students have been upset since they left the protest site yesterday evening (December 29) following a police operation. Now, Bihar's opposition leader and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, along with Purnia's MP Pappu Yadav, have also targeted Prashant Kishor.
RJD Shares VIDEO on Social Media
Students Demanding Exam Cancellation
In fact, students have been protesting in Patna for the past 12 days. They are demanding the cancellation of the BPSC 70th Joint Examination. In pursuit of this demand, aspirants attempted to reach the CM's residence on the evening of December 29, but by 8 PM, Patna Police used water cannons to stop them and conducted a baton charge during this time.
Also Read: FIR Filed Against Prashant Kishor and 21 Others for Protests in Patna, Accused of Inciting BPSC Students
Prashant Kishor Leading the March?
The students assert that despite several days of protesting, the Nitish Kumar government has not engaged in any dialogue with them. Thereafter, under Prashant Kishor's leadership, they decided to march towards the Secretariat. On Sunday evening, they set out from Gandhi Maidan to negotiate with the government. To prevent them, the Bihar Police had multiple layers of barricading. Even the Maurya Hotel had barricades, but the aspirants pushed through, advancing until the Bihar Police arrived to stop them.
Accusations Against PK for Leaving the Students
It is reported that on Sunday, at 1 PM, PK had summoned a student parliament in Gandhi Maidan. Around 4:30 PM, they marched towards the CM residence. The first barricade was broken by the candidates at JP Golambar. At 6 PM, the second barricade at JP Golambar was breached, after which PK announced that the delegation was invited by the government for talks. At 6:45 PM, PK left the aspirants, after which police presence increased. By 7:40 PM, the police used water cannons followed by a baton charge.
Tejaswi Accuses Misleading Students for the March
The RJD Chief has accused Jan Suraj Party and its Chief Prashant Kishor. Tejaswi accused PK of acting like Nitish's 'B-Team'. Tejaswi Yadav said, 'Protesters were misled toward Gandhi Maidan for the march. When it came time to face the baton charge and water sprays, those leading the protest fled. He stated that the movement was started by students. The sit-in at Gardani Bagh shook the government for about two weeks, where I also went. Some elements were working as the government's B team.
Pappu Yadav Criticizes PK for Showing Superiority
Purnia's MP, Rajesh Ranjan alias Pappu Yadav launched a strong attack on Prashant Kishor. He said, 'Prashant ji himself has become a new leader and is intimidating the students, showing an air of superiority! Today, when there is not an iota of electoral strength, arrogance is dripping. What are you compared to governments which vanished before students? While students were being beaten by the police, you turned your back and fled when questioned, responded with abuse.'
Second Atrocity in 3 Days: Priyanka
Priyanka Gandhi supported the BPSC aspirants protesting in Patna. She tweeted, 'In Bihar, students have been oppressed for the second time in three days. It's the government's job to prevent corruption, fraud, and paper leaks in exams, but students protesting against corruption are being silenced. In this bitter cold, using water cannons and baton charges on young people is inhumane. BJP's double-engine government has become a symbol of double oppression on the youth.'
PK Left the Scene at the Jam: SP
Patna Central SP Sweety Sehrawat said, 'Repeated requests were made for them (aspirants) to disperse. We asked them to present their demands, we were ready to discuss, but they persisted. The aspirants engaged in scuffles with the administration. We were forced to use water cannons. Prashant Kishor, who was leading the march, left the students at the JP Golambar jammed. The requests for students to clear the area were ignored, leading to the eventual use of water cannons.'
PK Claims Students Are with Him
Responding to accusations, Prashant Kishor said, 'I am holding a press conference with the BPSC aspirants. Students on a hunger strike are sitting with me. It was agreed in yesterday's student parliament that the students themselves would lead the entire movement. We informed the administration that the student parliament wants to organize. The administration incorrectly said we did not give permission. Sitting and discussing at Gandhi Maidan required no permission. No commotion occurred in yesterday's student parliament. It was decided to advance through a march to present memoranda to the government. It was decided that the memorandum would be submitted where the government stops us.
Police Action After I Left: PK
Prashant Kishore further stated, 'We were halted at JP Golambar. The administration said the chief secretary is willing to talk. A delegation of 5 companions was decided. I appealed to the students, those who wish to leave, please do so. I left and returned to Gandhi Maidan and sat. A few thousand did not heed my advice. They believed they wouldn't return today. I left Gandhi Maidan and baton charges started 45 minutes later. I did not leave the scene, police action began after my departure. We'll file an FIR against Patna Police. We'll go to court against the police. We'll also approach human rights. Today, the delegation is meeting the chief secretary. If not resolved, I'll sit on a hunger strike starting January 2.'
No Question of Retaking Exam - BPSC Secretary
Meanwhile, BPSC Secretary Satya Prakash Sharma stated that retaking the exams is out of the question. We are ready to talk to candidates. BPSC's doors are always open for discussions. There’s no evidence of any misconduct in examinations across 911 of the state's 912 centers.
Main Demands of BPSC Aspirants
1.
Cancel the unified 70th Joint Preliminary Competition Examination and organize it afresh.
2.
Conduct a thorough investigation into the entire process from question paper preparation to examination conduct.
3.
Establish SOPs for competitive examinations so that students do not face unnecessary difficulties.
