On January 6, 2025, Jan Suraaj Party founder Prashant Kishor was forcibly removed and detained by the Patna Police after a tense confrontation at Gandhi Maidan. Kishor, who had been on a hunger strike for several days, was protesting the alleged irregularities in the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) exam. His fast unto death was a bold move aimed at pressuring the authorities to address accusations of exam paper leaks and unfair practices.
The protest, which drew significant attention from both supporters and critics, highlighted the growing discontent over the handling of the BPSC exams. Kishor’s actions, while seen as extreme, were designed to bring attention to the need for reform and transparency in the recruitment process. The arrest sparked debates about the right to protest peacefully, with many questioning the police’s actions in detaining a political figure known for his outspokenness on issues of governance and corruption. Despite being detained, Kishor vowed to continue his protest, promising to fight for a fair and transparent examination process for future aspirants.
This incident at Gandhi Maidan not only fueled the ongoing BPSC protests but also raised critical questions about the integrity of public recruitment exams in Bihar. Kishor’s protest and his subsequent detention are likely to shape the political discourse in the state, particularly as elections and political alignments begin to form for the coming months.
