Prashant Kishor Detained in Patna for Protesting in Prohibited Area
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Patna, Jan 6 (NationPress) The founder of Jan Suraaj Party, Prashant Kishor, was taken into custody by the Patna Police on Monday for holding a sit-in at a prohibited location in Gandhi Maidan, according to official sources.
Following his arrest, a medical check-up was performed, and Kishor is set to be presented in court, as stated by Patna SSP Awakash Kumar to IANS.
SSP Kumar mentioned, "Prashant Kishor of Jan Suraaj Party and several others were unlawfully protesting in front of the Gandhi statue within the restricted zone of Gandhi Maidan to voice their five-point demands."
He further explained that the authorities had previously issued a notice to Kishor and other protestors to relocate from the unauthorized section of Gandhi Maidan to the approved protest site, Gardnibagh.
"An FIR was filed at the Gandhi Maidan police station for conducting an illegal protest in the restricted zone. Despite multiple requests and adequate time being given, the area was not vacated," the Patna SSP informed IANS.
"Today, on January 6, he has been detained along with some supporters in the morning. They are in good health. Steps are being taken to present them before the court following the established protocol," SSP Kumar added.
Kishor has been actively advocating for the protesting candidates of the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC), joining their protest to highlight their demands for a re-examination of the entire 70th preliminary examination.
However, his selection of the protest venue has sparked concerns regarding compliance with legal standards.
In response, Kishor defended his choice of Gandhi Maidan as a protest venue, claiming it is a public area that does not necessitate prior permission for peaceful demonstrations.
He drew parallels with the extensive farmer protests in Delhi, questioning whether those protests were considered unlawful and whether the Delhi authorities were unaware of the regulations.
In the wake of this, Patna District Magistrate Chandrashekhar Singh clarified that Kishor's sit-in protest beneath the Bapu statue at Gandhi Maidan breaches established protocols.
"According to a 2015 ruling by the Patna High Court, Gardnibagh is the designated venue for protests, given that prior permission is secured from the district administration. Gandhi Maidan, a public area primarily utilized for recreational purposes such as morning and evening walks, is not sanctioned for protests or sit-ins. Even political rallies at Gandhi Maidan require administrative authorization," Singh stated.
