Jan Suraj founder Prashant Kishor has found himself at the center of a massive political controversy as hundreds of people are protesting against ‘irregularities’ in the BPSC exams.
Videos of the former election strategist arguing with the agitating students have since gone viral – with many claiming that he ‘ran away’ from the scene. Meanwhile, Bihar Police registered an FIR against 600 to 700 people, including Kishore, for inciting people and creating law and order problem at Gandhi Maidan in Patna.
“We have decided to give 48 hours time to the government… I would request all the leaders who want to lead the protest to come forward and stand with the students… I stood with the students, And while I was there, no lathi charge was carried out… We will take legal action against any officer who is involved in the lathi charge,” the politician asserted on Monday.
The statement came soon after RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav claimed that those who had said they would be at the forefront fled the protest site before the police action.
Meanwhile, a clip re-shared by an RJD handle on X shows the politician engaging in a war of words with a protester he had reportedly visited to meet him on Sunday evening.
“You asked me for a blanket and you are misbehaving?” the politician can be heard asking in the clip.
The comment sparked outrage and many protesters strongly opposed his claim. As the war of words continued, students were heard raising slogans of ‘go back’.
“Are you trying to scare us with the blanket?” countered one protester.
On Sunday, police used water cannon and lathicharge to disperse students demanding cancellation of BPSC exams. Officials said they took action after agitating students attempted to march to the chief minister’s house on December 13.
Nearly five lakh candidates had appeared for the combined competitive examinations at more than 900 centers across the state. Controversy erupted after hundreds of candidates boycotted an examination center in Patna alleging ‘paper leak’.
The Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) has denied the allegation and termed it a “conspiracy” to cancel the exam – despite ordering re-examination for over 10,000 candidates at the center of the controversy who were asked to appear for the Bapu exam. The premises were handed over. ,
The protesters have demanded cancellation of the entire examination and argued that re-testing would give an unfair advantage to a small group of candidates.
“The protesting candidates believe that the BPSC’s reluctance to order fresh examinations is due to the fact that crores of rupees have already been transferred,” the Jan Suraj Party founder alleged. The positions to be filled were put on sale.” monday.
(with inputs from agencies)
