Amid growing controversy over the BPSC exam paper leak, Prashant Kishor’s indefinite hunger strike ended in his arrest by Patna Police. The Jan Suraaj leader’s stand for protesting students has drawn sharp criticism, with many questioning whether he is fighting for the right cause or seeking to gain political leverage ahead of Bihar’s assembly elections.
BY PC bureau
Prashant Kishor Arrested During Hunger Strike Over BPSC Exam Paper Leak Controversy
Fighting for a controversial cause, Prashant Kishor, leader of Jan Suraaj and former election strategist, was detained by Patna Police early Monday during his indefinite hunger strike at Gandhi Maidan. Kishor had been demanding the cancellation of the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) Combined Competitive Exams (CCE), citing allegations of a paper leak at one examination center. The protest was forcibly cleared by police, who also detained Kishor and his supporters.
Even six hours after his arrest, the whereabouts of Prashant Kishor remained unclear. Attention now turns to the judicial process, should the police decide to present him before a magistrate. It also remains uncertain whether Kishor is continuing his hunger strike while in detention.
#WATCH | BPSC protest: On Jan Suraaj Party’s Prashant Kishor and others’ detention, Patna DM Dr Chandrashekhar Singh says “Some people were illegally protesting in front of the Gandhi statue in the restricted area of Gandhi Maidan. An FIR was lodged at Gandhi Maidan PS for… pic.twitter.com/Mr2gIJIA4S
— ANI (@ANI) January 6, 2025
Kishor was removed from the protest site and taken to AIIMS Patna for a medical examination, according to his supporters. A video shared by ANI showed police clashing with demonstrators as they attempted to block Kishor’s detention.
The district administration had earlier labeled the protest “illegal” and filed a complaint against Kishor and approximately 150 supporters. Patna District Magistrate Chandrashekhar Singh stated, “No dharna can be allowed at a spot other than the designated place in Gardan Bagh.”
The Exam Controversy
Over five lakh candidates appeared for the BPSC exams on December 13. However, allegations of a question paper leak at Patna’s Bapu Pariksha Parisar triggered protests. While the BPSC dismissed the allegations as a “conspiracy” to derail the examination process, fresh tests were ordered for over 10,000 candidates from the affected center.
Officials maintained that there was no evidence of leaks at the 51 other examination centers and rejected calls to cancel the exams entirely. “This demand is unjustified and would harm the candidates who performed well in the exams,” an official stated.
Critics argue that many students who performed poorly in the exams have aligned with those from the affected center, demanding a re-examination to secure another chance.
Kishor’s Involvement and Criticism
Kishor’s support for the protesting students has drawn mixed reactions. While his party seeks to leverage the agitation to boost its prospects in Bihar’s year-end assembly elections, critics believe this move undermines his promise of change in Bihar’s political landscape.
A senior journalist commented, “Prashant Kishor’s decision to back a flawed cause and involve discredited elements in his fledgling party will cost him dearly in the upcoming elections.”
Many who expected Kishor to bring fresh perspectives to Bihar politics have expressed disappointment, questioning whether his actions prioritize political gain over genuine reform.
