Gandhi Maidan, the heart of Patna’s historical and political identity, has witnessed defining moments in India’s journey—be it the call for independence or the fervor of the JP Movement. Yet, its echoes fell silent when Prashant Kishor’s recent protest failed to ignite the same spirit of mass mobilization.
By Navin Upadhyay
Gandhi Maidan in Patna is more than a vast open space; it is a monument to India’s political legacy. From the clarion call for independence to the fiery protests of the JP Movement, this iconic ground has borne witness to moments that shaped Bihar’s, and indeed India’s, destiny.
Yet, when political strategist-turned-activist Prashant Kishor launched his indefinite fast at Gandhi Maidan last week, demanding the cancellation of the controversial 70th Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) examination, the Maidan’s failed to resonate with the masses.
A Dwindling Movement
Kishor’s “Satyagraha” attracted a modest gathering of just over two thousand people, most of whom were his party loyalists. The students he claimed to champion were noticeably absent, unwilling to let their concerns be co-opted for political gain. Unlike the electrifying movements of the past that galvanized masses, Kishor’s protest struggled to strike a chord with the public.
मुख्यमंत्री आवास का आखिरी चूड़ा-दही और खा लीजिए नीतीश जी#PrashantKishor_BPSCProtest pic.twitter.com/ZVuJY2TXLi
— PK Digital Vahini (@PKDigitalVahini) January 8, 2025
“Everyone knows Prashant Kishor wanted to leverage the students’ protest for political mileage,” said Prakash Jha, an unemployed youth from Darbhanga.
“Anna Hazare didn’t sit on a fast with a vanity van parked nearby. With PK, everything seemed to reek of privilege,” remarked Rahul Singh, a mobile repair shop owner from Kankarbagh.
As he fast enter the second week and PK lands into a hospital ICU, the Supreme Court’s decision to dismiss a plea alleging irregularities in the December 2024 BPSC exam has dealt a significant blow to both the student protests and Kishor’s political momentum. With the Court redirecting petitioners to the Patna High Court and the state government resolutely opposing the cancellation of the entire exam, Kishor’s campaign appears to be running out of steam.
Unmet Aspirations and a Declining Strategy
The drama surrounding Kishor’s fast, subsequent arrest, and eventual bail generated fleeting headlines but failed to inspire a transformative movement in caste-divided Bihar. In a state where identity politics often overshadows broader issues, Kishor’s efforts to channel the spirit of Gandhi or emulate Anna Hazare’s mass appeal appear misaligned with the ground realities.
Despite a flurry of WhatsApp-coordinated prayers and rituals for his health, Kishor’s political and declared objective—to force the government to cancel the exam—seems increasingly out of reach. With little concrete evidence to substantiate allegations of a widespread paper leak, many perceive the demands for cancellation as politically motivated rather than student-driven.
Health Complications and Political Recalculations
प्रशांत किशोर की सलामती के लिए पूरे बिहार में पूजा-पाठ#PrashantKishor #PrashantKishor_BPSCProtest #BPSCReExamForAll pic.twitter.com/sOV9Wswlr6
— PK Digital Vahini (@PKDigitalVahini) January 7, 2025
Kishor’s week-long fast has taken a toll on his health. On Tuesday, he was admitted to the ICU of a private hospital in Patna, suffering from dehydration, urinary infection, gastritis, and general weakness. He has since been transferred to Jay Prabha Medanta Super Speciality Hospital, where a medical team is monitoring his condition.
Gandhi Maidan, which once reverberated with the slogans of revolutionaries and reformists, stood as a quieter witness to Kishor’s faltering campaign. His aspirations to evoke the spirit of transformative movements like the JP Movement have, for now, fallen short. As he recovers and recalibrates, Kishor faces an uphill battle—not only in reviving his political strategy but also in resonating with the people of Bihar in a manner befitting the legacy of Gandhi Maidan.
