Kishor, who began his fast on Thursday, was seeking justice for students who he claims were affected by irregularities during the BPSC’s December 13 competitive exam. His hunger strike, which had escalated to a “fast unto death” by the weekend, gained significant attention, drawing supporters from various quarters.
Police Action and Arrest
In the early hours of Monday, Bihar Police moved in to arrest Kishor and his supporters who had been sitting on a protest at Gandhi Maidan. The police cited the sit-in as “illegal” because it was being held at a restricted location. Despite the nature of the protest, which had gained significant public attention, the authorities removed Kishor and his supporters from the protest site and took him to Patna AIIMS for a medical examination.
Chandrashekhar Singh, the District Magistrate of Patna, confirmed the arrest, stating that Kishor and his followers were detained and would be presented before a court. The arrest has sparked further outrage from his supporters, who are standing firm behind his demands for accountability regarding the BPSC exam.
The BPSC Controversy and Kishor’s Hunger Strike
The protests ignited by the BPSC paper leak allegations have intensified over the past few weeks, especially after the state government announced a re-examination for the affected students. Kishor has been vocal in claiming that the government’s move to hold a re-examination is an acknowledgment of errors that occurred during the original exam.
Kishor, who has been a key figure in Bihar’s political landscape for years, argued that the decision to re-conduct the exam implicitly validates the claims of irregularities, thus showing the government’s failure to safeguard the integrity of the competitive examination. For Kishor and many of his supporters, this re-examination is seen as a step in the right direction, but it still doesn’t address the root of the problem — the systemic issues within the BPSC examination process.
“I’ve been fasting for the students. The government’s re-examination announcement is an admission of guilt,” Kishor told ANI on Sunday. His hunger strike, which began with the intention of pressuring the state government to act swiftly, now appears to have gained a broader political and social dimension.
Kishor’s Stand and Supporters’ Solidarity
Kishor’s hunger strike quickly gained traction among students, social activists, and political figures, many of whom have been disillusioned with the handling of the BPSC exam controversy by the Bihar government. While Kishor is now in police custody, his stance has been widely supported by those who feel that the government’s response to the issue has been inadequate.
The protests, which initially started as a cry for justice for those affected by the BPSC exam leak, have now evolved into a broader political issue with Kishor at the forefront. As the founder of Jan Suraaj, a political party focused on issues such as governance reform, Kishor’s protest is also an attempt to leverage the issue of education integrity to challenge the current political establishment in Bihar.
However, the arrest of Kishor and the subsequent legal proceedings surrounding the protest have raised questions about the balance between civil disobedience and legal restrictions in such cases. While the local government insists on the legality of their actions, Kishor’s supporters argue that their cause is justified, especially given the growing concerns over transparency in state-run examinations.
What’s Next for the Protesters?
As of now, Kishor’s fate remains uncertain, and the situation continues to evolve. His supporters are rallying behind him, demanding the immediate cancellation of the BPSC examination and reforms in the examination process to prevent future scandals. The state government has yet to make any firm statements regarding the long-term resolution of the controversy, with the re-examination being the only concrete action taken so far.
With the arrest of Kishor, the spotlight now shifts to the Bihar government’s response. Whether they will accede to Kishor’s demands or press charges against him and his supporters remains to be seen. What is clear, however, is that Kishor’s protest has sparked a larger conversation about the integrity of competitive examinations in the state, a conversation that is unlikely to fade anytime soon.
