On December 30, 2024, Patna’s Gandhi Maidan witnessed a tense standoff as BPSC aspirants protested against the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) over the 70th BPSC Preliminary Examination. The students, frustrated by alleged discrepancies and unfairness in the exam, were demanding a re-examination. Despite being warned by the police to vacate the protest site, the demonstrators remained firm in their stand. In response, the police used water cannons and mild lathi charges to disperse the crowd.
The situation was further escalated when Prashant Kishore, leader of Jan Suraj, lent his support to the students. He condemned the Bihar administration for suppressing the peaceful demonstration, calling out the police’s harsh tactics. Kishore argued that the students had the constitutional right to voice their grievances and should not be met with force. His comments added fuel to the ongoing debate over governance and the state’s handling of protests.
Bihar’s political landscape is already facing challenges as protests like these have become more frequent. This protest in Patna underscores the growing dissatisfaction among the youth regarding the BPSC exam process, which they claim lacks transparency and fairness. As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen whether the government will respond to the demands for a fair re-examination process or if the unrest will escalate further.
