Prashant Kishor, the leader of the Jan Suraaj Party, has entered the third day of his hunger strike in support of students protesting the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) exam. The students are demanding the cancellation of the December 2024 Bihar Civil Services (BPSC) exam, citing alleged question paper leaks. Kishor accused officials of corruption, claiming that more than half of the BPSC seats were being sold. “The issue is a larger corruption scandal… more than half of the seats are sold. The re-examination being conducted for 15,000 students doesn’t matter if you studied well. Seats are only given to those who pay money to corrupt officials,” he told.
Kishor further alleged that the position of Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) was being sold for ₹1.5 crore, and accused the government of turning a blind eye to these illegal activities. “The DSP post is openly being sold for ₹1.5 crore, and the government is silent on the matter. The public will respond after five years, just like when Nitish Kumar faced consequences in the elections,” Kishor added.
Kishor emphasized that he would not end his fast until the students’ demands were met. “I will not end my fast until the students’ concerns are addressed. We have suggested that the Chief Minister meet the students and find a solution together. If that happens, I will be willing to end my hunger strike,” he said. The protests erupted after the recent Integrated Combined (Preliminary) Competitive Examination (CCE) 2024, alleging leaks in the question paper. Students are demanding the cancellation of the exam.
Protests escalated on Friday, with demonstrators disrupting transportation and blocking roads and railways in Patna. Independent MP Pappu Yadav led the protests, halting trains in Patna, Araria, Purnea, and Muzaffarpur. Protesters also set tyres on fire in Patna and Purnea Police clashed with Left-leaning student organizations that tried to march to the Chief Minister’s residence. Several leaders from the Congress and CPI groups joined the protest but were blocked by the police. Left parties have called for state-wide protests on January 6 in support of the students.
Patna Police filed cases against Congress and Left party MLAs for creating law and order issues and disrupting traffic during the protests. Some of the MLAs named in the case include Shakil Ahmad, Gopal Ravidas, Mahboob Alam, and others. Later, Left-leaning student groups held a candle march in Patna to express solidarity with the protesting BPSC candidates.
