Prashant Kishor to Start Hunger Strike for BPSC Aspirants

Patna - Prashant Kishor, founder of the Jan Suraaj Party, will begin an indefinite hunger strike on January 2, demanding BPSC aspirants' concerns be addressed. The aspirants are demanding the cancellation and re-conduct of the 70th BPSC Preliminary Examination, held on December 13, alleging irregularities.

Kishor's decision follows a 48-hour ultimatum issued to the Bihar government, which went unanswered. He announced his plans for a sit-in protest, starting January 2, expressing solidarity with the students. "If injustice is done to the students, we will stand with them with full strength," Kishor stated to the media.

The controversy stems from allegations that the exam questions were of poor quality, resembling model papers provided by coaching institutes. The exam was one of the most significant recruitment drives in recent years, with 2,031 vacancies, including key positions such as Sub-Divisional Magistrates (SDMs) and Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSPs).

Police added to the tension with an FIR against 700 individuals, including Kishor, after protests at Gandhi Maidan, Patna, on Sunday. The protest had turned violent, leading to a lathi-charge incident. Raj Bhavan summoned the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) and the District Magistrate (DM) for an explanation.

Despite BPSC Chairman Ravi Manu Bhai Parmar's meeting with Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar on Monday, where he confirmed the exam would not be cancelled or reconducted, Kishor and the protesting aspirants remain undeterred.