BPSC Protest:
In a major development, Patna Police have arrested a tutor from Delhi amidst ongoing student protests demanding the cancellation of the 70th BPSC Combined Competitive Examination. The tutor has been charged with inciting students to protest against the examination, leading to his arrest on Thursday. Patna's District Magistrate (DM) Chandrashekhar Singh revealed that preliminary investigations from Wednesday's protest indicate that a tutor named Rohit was actively involved in organizing and inciting the protesters.
Police Suspect Conspiracy
Patna's Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Rajeev Mishra informed PTI News Agency, "Initial investigations have revealed that Rohit, the tutor, traveled from Delhi and was accompanied by several individuals, including girls, posing as dissatisfied BPSC candidates. Investigators are currently questioning him." He stated that there are suspicions of a larger conspiracy behind the protest and efforts are ongoing to trace the funding sources for those involved.
SSP added, "We are attempting to identify the funding sources for individuals who traveled from outside the state. Rohit appears to be the main conspirator of this protest. Patna Police will be forwarding a preliminary report to the Economic Offenses Unit (EOU) regarding this case."
13 Days of Relentless Protests
In fact, BPSC candidates have been protesting outside the BPSC office since December 13th (exam day), alleging irregularities in the 70th Combined Competitive Examination (CCE). On Wednesday (December 25, 2024), to control the situation, police resorted to baton charges on the protesters. The demonstrators claimed they were treated like "terrorists" and many were injured in the police action. Officials, however, have dismissed these claims.
Read also: A re-exam for the BPSC 70th exam is scheduled for January, after being canceled on December 13 at Bapu Center.
'Guru Rehman' Joins the Protest
Renowned vlogger known as 'Guru Rehman', Motiar Rahman Khan, joined the protest, stating, "The police action against BPSC candidates is condemnable. Students should not be subjected to such treatment. I'm always in support of students."
Opposition Voices Criticism
Congress and RJD also condemned the police's actions. Purnia MP Pappu Yadav warned that if the December 13th exam isn't canceled, they will call for a Bihar shutdown on January 1st. Meanwhile, opposition leader Tejashwi Yadav remarked, "Until a few months ago, NDA leader Nitish Kumar was labeled as mentally unfit by BJP-LJP-HAM leaders. Now they endorse his autocratic decisions, justifying the brutal police action on BPSC candidates." He accused Nitish Kumar of being averse to democratic protests.
