Prashant Kishor Launches Hunger Strike in Patna Over BPSC Exam Controversy

Patna (The Uttam Hindu): After the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) canceled the 70th BPSC PT exam held on December 13 at a Patna test center, a re-examination has been scheduled for January 4 at 22 exam centers in the city. In response to the ongoing protests, Prashant Kishor, founder of Jan Suraj, began an indefinite hunger strike on Thursday evening at Gandhi Maidan, demanding the cancellation of all exam centers.

Kishor stated that he would continue his hunger strike until the BPSC candidates' demands are met. A large group of BPSC candidates has been protesting at the Gardanibagh site in Patna for several days, calling for the cancellation of the PT exam. The protesting candidates have also met with the Governor and the Chief Secretary to voice their concerns.

On Thursday evening, the candidates gathered once again at Patna's historic Gandhi Maidan, where Prashant Kishor joined the protest and sat on a hunger strike near the statue of Bapu. The primary demand of the protesters is the complete cancellation of the exam and its re-conducting. They were also heard chanting slogans against the government and the BPSC.

Earlier in the week, Kishor had participated in a student parliament with the candidates at Gandhi Maidan. However, tensions escalated when protesters attempted to break through barricades at Patna’s JP Golambar, heading towards the Chief Minister's residence. In response, police used water cannons and later resorted to a lathi charge to disperse the crowd.

The controversy began when rumors of a question paper leak surfaced during the combined competitive exam held on December 13 at the Bapu Bhavan exam center in Patna. Following the incident, several candidates boycotted the exam, and the BPSC ordered a re-examination at the same center. Meanwhile, the protesting students continue to demand the cancellation of the entire exam.