The BPSC candidates' protest continues in Patna, Bihar. Meanwhile, a student delegation met with the Chief Secretary, who assured them that efforts would be made to facilitate a meeting with CM Nitish Kumar once he returns to Patna.
After their meeting, candidate Satyam expressed optimism, stating, 'The Chief Secretary heard us attentively and already had a complete understanding of the issue. From the government side, the Chief Secretary mentioned they are monitoring the entire situation. Until the government reaches a decision, the demonstration in Gardanibagh will continue.'
He added, 'It's not about our satisfaction. We must see what decision the government takes. We've requested the withdrawal of cases filed against students. We have presented any evidence related to the discrepancies to the Chief Secretary, who responded in the typically measured tone of bureaucracy.'
BPSC Chairman Parmar Ravi Manu Bhai also met with the Governor, who invited him to discuss BPSC's stance. The Chairman stated that there is no question of re-conducting the exam. BPSC is ready to communicate with the aspirants. Out of 912 examination centers, there is no evidence of any malpractice in 911 of them. He questioned the basis for canceling the entire exam. A retest will be held at only one center on January 4, and the results of the 70th BPSC PT examination will be announced by the end of January.
RJD Chief targeted the Jan Suraj Party and its leader Prashant Kishor, accusing PK of acting as Nitish's 'B-Team.' Tejashwi Yadav mentioned, 'The protestors were misled into marching towards Gandhi Maidan. When faced with baton charges and water cannons, those leading the protest fled. He noted that the movement was initiated by students. The two-week sit-in at Gardani Bagh unsettled the government, and I was there too. Some elements operated like the government's B Team.'
MP from Purnia, Rajesh Ranjan alias Pappu Yadav, sharply criticized Prashant Kishor, saying, 'Prashantji, who himself is a new leader, is threatening the students, flaunting his status! At a time when he holds virtually no electoral value, he is oozing with arrogance. Bigger governments have been toppled by students, who are you? Students were beaten by the police while you disappeared at the scene, swearing when questioned.'
Priyanka Gandhi voiced support for the protesting BPSC aspirants in Patna in a tweet: 'In Bihar, students have faced atrocities for the second time in three days. Preventing corruption, malpractices, and paper leaks in exams is the government's duty, but instead of stopping corruption, the government is stifling the students' voices. Subjecting the youth to water cannons and baton charges in this harsh cold is inhumane. BJP's twofold tyranny on youth has become the symbol of the so-called 'double-engine.'
Responding to allegations, Prashant Kishor said, 'I am addressing the media with the BPSC aspirants. The students on a hunger strike are sitting with me. It was decided in yesterday's student parliament that the students would lead this entire movement. We informed the administration about organizing a student parliament. The administration falsely claimed we hadn't informed them. No permission was needed to sit and talk in Gandhi Maidan. In the student parliament yesterday, there was no chaos. It was resolved that the memorandum would be presented through marches. We decided that we would hand over the memorandum wherever the government stops us.'
Prashant Kishor further stated, 'We were stopped at JP Golambar. The administration said the Chief Secretary was ready for talks. Our five-member delegation was confirmed. I appealed to the students, anyone intending to leave should do so. I then returned and sat down again at Gandhi Maidan. A thousand or so students, despite my appeal, believed they would not return today. I left Gandhi Maidan and 45 minutes later, the baton charge ensued. It did not happen while I was there; it started after I had left. We will file an FIR against Patna Police. We will also approach the court against the police. We will even go to human rights. A delegation is meeting the Chief Secretary again today. If the matter is not resolved, I will personally start the sit-in from January 2.'
Main Demands of BPSC Aspirants
1. Cancel and reorganize the 70th Joint Preliminary Competition Examination.
2. Conduct a thorough investigation of the entire process from paper preparation to examination conduct.
3. Establish SOPs for competitive exams to prevent unnecessary hardship for students.
