Jan Suraaj founder Prashant Kishor was arrested early Monday while on a hunger strike at Patna’s Gandhi Maidan, demanding the cancellation of the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) exam held on December 13. Kishor, along with his supporters, was removed by the police and taken to Patna AIIMS for a medical check-up, according to his team.
Patna District Magistrate Chandrashekhar Singh confirmed the arrest, stating, “Kishor and his supporters were arrested for holding an illegal dharna near a restricted site. They will be produced before a court.” The sit-in near the Mahatma Gandhi statue at Gandhi Maidan was deemed unauthorized, prompting police action.
Kishor launched his hunger strike on January 2, supporting civil service aspirants calling for the cancellation of the BPSC exam, which had been marred by allegations of a question paper leak. In response to the controversy, BPSC conducted a retest on January 4 for a select group of candidates, which reportedly proceeded without any irregularities.
Of the 12,012 eligible candidates, 8,111 downloaded their admit cards for the re-exam, while 5,943 appeared at 22 centers. BPSC declared the retest peaceful and free of malpractice, further dismissing demands for a broader cancellation.
Kishor’s arrest has added fuel to the ongoing debate, with critics questioning the government’s handling of the exam controversy and its approach to dissent. The incident underscores the growing tensions in Bihar’s political landscape over issues of accountability and transparency in public examinations.
