Independent MP from Purnea, Pappu Yadav, called for a state-wide ‘Bihar Bandh’ on Sunday, demanding the cancellation and re-conduct of the 70th Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) preliminary examination. The protest was fueled by allegations of question paper leaks and administrative mishandling of the exam, which had sparked outrage among aspirants. The bandh led to significant disruptions across the state, with major areas paralyzed.
Violent Clashes in Patna
The protest turned violent in Patna’s JP Golambar area, where Yadav’s supporters clashed with the police. Demonstrators breached police barricades and attempted to march forward, prompting a tense standoff. The police struggled to contain the crowd as the situation quickly escalated into violent confrontations.
Supporters of Yadav’s Jan Adhikar Party, including its youth wing, Chhatra Yuva Shakti, rampaged through various parts of the state. Protesters damaged vehicles, including trucks used for metro construction, smashing them with sticks. BJP banners were torn down, and tyres were set on fire, filling the air with thick black smoke. Key locations in Patna, such as Ashok Rajpath, NIT More, and Dak Bungalow Chauraha, were completely blocked, leading to massive traffic jams and disrupting daily life.
Pappu Yadav Leads Protest March
Pappu Yadav personally led a large procession from Income Tax Chauraha to Dak Bungalow Chauraha in Patna. Standing atop an open vehicle emblazoned with a banner reading ‘Ram Naam Satya,’ Yadav rallied his supporters to protest against the state government. His followers marched alongside him, chanting slogans demanding justice for BPSC candidates and condemning alleged corruption in the examination process.
The bandh, which began early in the morning, saw protesters burning tyres and forcing shops to shut. Several districts reported road blockages, and public transport services were severely affected. Major markets in Patna and surrounding cities were closed, leaving commuters stranded and creating widespread inconvenience.
Protests Over BPSC Exam Irregularities
The protests had been simmering since December 2024, when BPSC aspirants first raised concerns over the Integrated Combined (Preliminary) Competitive Examination (CCE) 2024, which was held on December 13. The candidates alleged that the exam had been marred by question paper leaks, leading to a call for its cancellation.
On Saturday, Pappu Yadav announced he was teaming up with Azad Party founder Chandrashekhar Azad and All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) leader Asaduddin Owaisi to push for justice in the BPSC case. They pledged to disrupt the functioning of the Bihar Legislative Assembly starting March 21 if their demands were not met.
Legal Developments
The protests come amid ongoing legal battles over the exam. On Tuesday, the Supreme Court refused to entertain a petition alleging widespread malpractices in the BPSC exam. A bench headed by Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna directed the petitioner to approach the Patna High Court with their grievances.
The counsel for the petitioners, Anand Legal Aid Forum Trust, highlighted the brutal actions of Bihar police against peaceful protesters demanding the cancellation of the exam, further fueling tensions across the state.
