Lagatar24 Desk
Patna: Jan Suraaj chief Prashant Kishor was granted bail by the Patna Civil Court on Monday following his early morning arrest by Patna Police. Kishor, who has been on an indefinite hunger strike at Gandhi Maidan for the past five days, was protesting against alleged irregularities in the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) 70th Preliminary Examination.
The police detained Kishor and took him to AIIMS in an ambulance after his arrest. The move led to a clash between Patna Police and Kishor’s supporters, including BPSC aspirants. Protesters lay in front of the ambulance, forcing the police to use mild force to disperse the crowd.
Demands and Hunger Strike:
Prashant Kishor began his hunger strike on January 2 at Gandhi Maidan, near Mahatma Gandhi’s statue. His demands include:
• Cancellation and Re-examination: A cancellation of the 70th Preliminary Examination due to allegations of corruption and irregularities.
• High-Level Investigation: A thorough probe into the alleged irregularities and corruption during the examination.
• White Paper on Exam Irregularities: The release of a white paper detailing competitive exam irregularities and paper leaks over the last decade, along with actions taken against the culprits.
• Unemployment Allowance: Implementation of the promises made under the “Saat Nishchay” program in 2015, particularly unemployment benefits for youth aged 18 to 35 years.
Support and Resistance:
Kishor’s indefinite hunger strike has garnered significant support from students and aspirants. However, tensions escalated during the police action at Gandhi Maidan, resulting in clashes between the authorities and Kishor’s supporters.
Background on the Protest:
The 70th BPSC Preliminary Examination has been mired in controversy over alleged paper leaks and mismanagement. Aspirants and activists have been demanding a re-test, while accusing the administration of negligence in ensuring a fair examination process.
With Kishor now out on bail, his Jan Suraaj movement is expected to intensify its efforts to hold the state government accountable for its promises and actions regarding employment and education reforms.
