Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) aspirants intensified their agitation in Patna on Tuesday, 26 August, as students broke through police barricades in an attempt to gherao the Bihar Chief Minister's residence, prompting police to deploy water cannons to disperse the crowd. Amid the escalating unrest, state minister Ramkripal Yadav assured that the government was taking student grievances seriously and that Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary had personally initiated steps to address their legitimate demands.

What the Government Said

Speaking to reporters, Minister Ramkripal Yadav stated that the state administration was working promptly to resolve the issues raised by the protesters. “Regarding the issues faced by students, the government is extremely serious. The Chief Minister himself has taken the initiative and decided to consider the legitimate demands of the students,” Yadav said. He added that both the government and Chief Minister Choudhary were actively engaged in resolving the situation.

Yadav, however, alleged that certain political parties were exploiting the protest for electoral gain. “Some political parties are trying to benefit from this protest. I would request the students to remain patient and keep themselves safe. The government is working to resolve whatever problems they have,” he said.

Key Developments at Dak Bungalow Crossing

A large contingent of BPSC job aspirants and other students launched a pre-announced march from Gandhi Maidan, advancing toward the Chief Minister’s residence before being stopped at the Dak Bungalow crossing. Police detained several protesters at the site. Students carrying the National Flag jostled with police personnel and breached barricades, after which authorities deployed water cannons to control the crowd.

Police alleged that some protesters threw stones during the confrontation. Heavy deployment was maintained across major intersections in the city, with additional Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Rapid Action Force (RAF) units stationed at the crossing.

Core Student Demands

Students have been staging a sustained protest at Gardanibagh in Patna for several weeks. Their primary demands include a single-tier examination for BPSC-TRE 4, greater transparency in the recruitment process, timely conduct of examinations by the Bihar Staff Selection Commission (BSSC), and equitable opportunities for Hindi-medium candidates. Protesters have also demanded cancellation of the 70th BPSC examination, citing alleged irregularities in its conduct.

Opposition Reaction

Congress MP Akhilesh Prasad Singh warned that student anger had reached a tipping point. “The outrage and anger of the students has reached the doorstep of this arrogant government. If the government still does not heed this warning and fails to understand their anger and outrage, then difficulties lie ahead for it,” Singh said.

What Happens Next

With the protest showing no signs of abating and the opposition sharpening its attack, pressure on the Bihar government to deliver concrete, time-bound commitments is mounting. Whether Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary’s reported engagement translates into formal policy action on the BPSC examination structure will determine how quickly the situation de-escalates.