1. Arrest While on Fast:
Prashant Kishor, political strategist who turned an activist and is also the founder of Jan Suraaj, has been arrested while on a five-day-long fast at Patna’s Gandhi Maidan today. He has started the hunger strike from 2 January itself while demanding that BPSC Examination scheduled on December 13, earlier this month should be scrapped and re-typed. BPSC Examination accused of question paper leakage.
2. Authorities Declare Protest Illegal
The Patna administration declared the protest illegal, citing an order of the Patna High Court that prohibits any form of demonstrations at places other than designated places like Gardani Bagh. The administration, after repeated notices to Mr. Kishor and his followers to shift to another place, continued their sit-in protest at Gandhi Maidan. Mr. Kishor and 43 of his followers were arrested while vehicles, including tractors that were used for the protest, were seized.
3. Accusations of Handling During Arrest
Supporters of Mr. Kishor claimed that he was slapped and mishandled during arrest. However, the police officials dismissed the claims saying that force was applied only to those who resisted their arrest. Dr. Kishor was taken to AIIMS Patna for a medical check-up, to which he initially disagreed.
4. Bail Refusal and Court Order
He refused to sign the bail bond and was detained after his arrest. However, the civil court later granted him bail, and he was released hours after the initial detention.
5. BPSC Exam Controversy and Involvement of Supreme Court
There is much controversy about the BPSC exam. For those whose copies were allegedly leaked, a retest was conducted on January 4. The number of appearing candidates was a mere 5,943 from 12,012 eligible ones.
The issue has reached the Supreme Court as well. Here, petitioners are demanding the cancellation of the December 13 exam and action against officials who used excessive force on protesters.
6. Background and Political Context
Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj movement has been actively voicing concerns over governance issues in Bihar. His hunger strike is seen as part of a larger campaign against corruption and inefficiency in the state’s recruitment processes.
The administration’s handling of the situation has drawn mixed reactions, with critics questioning the use of force and supporters praising Kishor’s determination to hold authorities accountable.
7. Current Status
As of now, Mr. Kishor has been granted bail, and the protests continue to draw widespread attention. The controversy surrounding the BPSC exam and its potential implications for public service recruitment in Bihar remains under scrutiny.