Prashant Kishor Remains in 14-Day Judicial Custody After Rejecting Bail Terms
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Patna, Jan 6 (NationPress) Prashant Kishor, the head of the Jan Suraj Party, has been ordered into 14 days of judicial custody by the Patna Police after he opted to decline the conditional bail offered by a court on Monday.
The bail bond, which was set at Rs 25,000, included a requirement that Kishor abstain from similar actions in the future—a condition he rejected, referencing the principles of his ongoing satyagraha.
Kishor defended his stance by stating, "I was granted bail, but the stipulation was that I would not participate in such activities again. This struggle is for fundamental rights and justice. If raising one’s voice against injustices, such as the use of lathis on women and youth, is considered a crime in Bihar, then I am prepared to face imprisonment. My satyagraha will persist even in custody until the government addresses the issues. Bihar is where Mahatma Gandhi conducted the Satyagraha, and if doing the same here is deemed a crime, then I am willing to commit such a crime."
The bail bond filing occurred at 4 p.m. on Monday, but Prashant Kishor communicated to the court that he preferred jail over accepting conditional bail. Kishor had been on a hunger strike since January 2, protesting against the Bihar government's alleged use of force and other grievances.
Earlier that day, police apprehended Kishor from the Gandhi statue in Patna, where he was observing a hunger strike. He was taken in an ambulance for five hours and transported to various locations, including AIIMS Patna and the Fatua Community Hospital.
He asserted that the AIIMS administration denied him admission, and he refused medical evaluations at other facilities, deeming them unnecessary.
The founder of the Jan Suraj Party criticized the Bihar government, stating, "Public spaces like Gandhi Maidan should be available for peaceful protests and dissenting voices." His refusal to accept bail signifies a protest against policies he believes stifle democratic expression. He accused the government of employing a “lathi-system” to silence dissent and vowed to persist in his campaign against the leadership of Nitish Kumar and the BJP.
While addressing his supporters, Kishor called for restraint: "Do not engage or confront the police; they are simply executing orders. This campaign targets the system, not the officers themselves." He has announced that his hunger strike, which entered its fifth day at the time of his arrest, will continue even in jail. He reaffirmed his dedication to seeking a resolution to the concerns raised, including police behavior towards protesters and other grievances against the Bihar government.
This situation highlights the growing tensions between the leader of the Jan Suraj Party and the state government, with Kishor framing his arrest as a defense of democratic rights and justice.
