Jan Suraaj chief Prashant Kishor on Friday reaffirmed his backing for the ongoing protests at Gandhi Maidan against the alleged paper leak in the Bihar Civil Services (BPSC) examination, calling for its cancellation.
Kishor asserted that the protest would persist, emphasizing his long-term commitment to Bihar. “This protest will continue. I’ve been working in Bihar for the past two and a half years. If not politics, what else should I pursue?” he stated.
Addressing claims that his involvement in the protest was politically driven, Kishor retorted, “If you harm someone and I stand in their support, you label it as politics. If that’s the case, then I’m indeed doing politics.”
Kishor also criticized Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, accusing him of prioritizing power over governance. “Nitish Kumar is more focused on clinging to power than helping the people. During the COVID crisis, he failed to assist the citizens of Bihar,” Kishor alleged.
On Thursday, Kishor launched an indefinite hunger strike, demanding the cancellation of the BPSC examination due to the alleged paper leak. He joined the protesting BPSC aspirants at Gandhi Maidan, where he lambasted the Chief Minister for not engaging with the students. “This government, led by Nitish Kumar, is arrogant. Despite students’ willingness to end their protest if he assured them that the exams couldn’t proceed, the CM didn’t meet them. Students were even subjected to police brutality,” Kishor remarked.
He further explained his decision to begin a hunger strike: “For people like us, there’s no other recourse. That’s why I’m undertaking this indefinite hunger strike.”
The protesting students in Patna are demanding the cancellation of the Integrated Combined (Preliminary) Competitive Examination (CCE) 2024, conducted by the Bihar Public Service Commission on December 13.
In a related incident earlier today, supporters of Purnea MP Pappu Yadav, who staged a ‘rail roko’ demonstration at Sachiwalay Halt Railway Station to back the students’ protest, were dispersed by the police.
