Exam chaos in Bihar: Students clash with cops, Prashant Kishor faces legal heat

Protests over the Bihar Public Service Commission exam turned chaotic on Sunday, leading to police action and a case against Prashant Kishor and his Jan Suraaj party. Coaching center owners and 700 unidentified protesters also face charges. Authorities accuse them of unauthorized assembly, inciting unrest, and creating law and order issues.

The tension began when students, alleging a paper leak in the 70th Combined Competitive Examination, demanded a re-test. They gathered at Patna’s Gandhi Maidan before marching to JP Golambar. Their goal was to meet Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, but their insistence on seeing only him escalated the situation. Police used batons and water cannons to disperse the crowd.

The administration claims Jan Suraaj organized the protest march without permission, violating rules and leading to violence. Protesters allegedly damaged police loudspeakers and clashed with officers. The police stated that repeated warnings to maintain order went unheeded.

Prashant Kishor openly supported the students and joined their march. He announced plans for a delegation to meet the Chief Secretary to address their grievances. However, students rejected the proposal, insisting on meeting the Chief Minister.

The controversy follows Kishor’s “Chhatra Sansad” event, planned for Gandhi Maidan on Saturday, which authorities denied permission. The event aimed to discuss student issues and outline future strategies.

Jan Suraaj, re-launched as a political party this October after Kishor’s two-year state tour, plans to contest all seats in the next Bihar assembly election. Kishor has promised to shift electoral politics from sops to real issues, emphasizing governance and accountability.

As the fallout continues, the case against Kishor and others adds to the political storm brewing in Bihar. Transitioning from election strategist to political leader, Kishor faces mounting challenges while trying to position his party as a transformative force in Bihar’s politics.