Protests Erupt Following Prashant Kishor's Arrest Amidst Bihar Government's Controversies
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Patna, Jan 6 (NationPress): The detention of Jan Suraj Party founder Prashant Kishor during his hunger strike at the city’s Gandhi Maidan on Monday morning has led to widespread protests and condemnation of the alleged excesses of the Bihar police.
Kishor was on an indefinite hunger strike, calling for the cancellation of the 70th BPSC examination due to accusations of irregularities and reports of paper leaks. For over two weeks, BPSC aspirants and candidates have taken to the streets, demanding that the Nitish government annul the BPSC exams and conduct them again.
After Kishor’s arrest by the Bihar police, his supporters assembled in large numbers at the Jan Suraj Party office in Sheikhpura, claiming police brutality.
One of Kishor’s supporters stated, “The police lathi-charged us and even slapped Prashant Kishor. This is unacceptable. The Nitish Kumar administration has committed atrocities, and the movement will only grow stronger.”
Furthermore, social media videos have emerged showing police personnel slapping and dragging protesters while taking Prashant Kishor into custody.
Supporters allege that they have been denied any information regarding Kishor’s location. They accused the police of mistreating Kishor and his supporters at the protest site, asserting that the Jan Suraj founder was improperly handled during his arrest.
Patna District Magistrate Chandrashekhar Singh refuted claims of police overreach, stating, “Prashant Kishor and others were conducting an illegal sit-in in the restricted area of Gandhi Maidan. Despite notifications and repeated requests to relocate the protest to Gardanibagh, they chose not to comply. An FIR was filed, leading to his arrest on January 6 along with several supporters.”
“Kishor is in good health and will be presented before the court following the proper procedures,” he informed the media.
Kishor’s arrest has also stirred the political landscape in Bihar, with leaders from the ruling party defending the police action, while others have expressed concerns over it.
Importantly, Bihar has been experiencing a surge of protests for over two weeks regarding alleged irregularities in the BPSC preliminary examinations. In the wake of Kishor’s arrest, his supporters have pledged to escalate their movement. They accuse the Nitish government of stifling dissent through force and have committed to continuing their agitation until their demands are acknowledged.
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