Election strategist-turned-politician Prashant Kishor, leaders of his Jan Suraj Party, several coaching institute owners, and over 700 unidentified individuals have been booked by Bihar Police in connection with large-scale student protests in Patna. The protests, led by aspirants of the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) exams, turned chaotic near Gandhi Maidan earlier today.

The accused have been charged with organizing an unauthorized gathering, inciting unrest, and disrupting public order. Police allege that the Jan Suraj Party conducted a protest march without prior permission, resulting in violence. Protesters reportedly damaged police equipment, including loudspeakers used for crowd control, and clashed with officials on duty.

"Despite repeated warnings from the administration, the protesters disregarded guidelines and created a law-and-order situation," the police stated.

Unauthorized Gathering and Arrests

The protest near Gandhi Maidan was initially planned as a "Chattra Sansad" (Student Parliament). However, the district administration had rejected the party's request for permission. Despite the denial, Jan Suraj leaders and students gathered near the Gandhi statue, leading to clashes.

The police have filed cases against more than 19 individuals, including Prashant Kishor, Jan Suraj Party Bihar President Manoj Bharti, and several coaching center operators such as Nikhil Mani Tiwari, Subhash Kumar Thakur, and Shubham Snehlil. Two security personnel accompanying Kishor were also named in the case. Over 600 unidentified protesters have been listed as accused.

District Magistrate Chandrashekhar Singh confirmed the investigation is underway, stating, "Legal action is being taken against those responsible for disrupting public order."

Student Protests and Allegations

The agitation began on December 13, as thousands of BPSC aspirants demanded a re-examination of the 70th preliminary examination, citing allegations of corruption, irregularities, and question paper leaks.

Protesters claimed question papers were distributed late in some centers, with some receiving their papers nearly an hour after the exam began. Others alleged that answer sheets were tampered with or torn, raising concerns about malpractice.

Prashant Kishor’s Support

Addressing the protesters in Patna, Prashant Kishor extended his full support to the students and criticized Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for failing to address their grievances. "The Chief Minister has no time to meet the youth of his own state. Instead, he has gone to Delhi on a private visit. This agitation will continue until the demand for a re-examination is met," Kishor said.

He accused the state government of turning a blind eye to rampant corruption in Bihar's examination system. "No exam in Bihar happens without allegations of corruption or paper leaks. This must end, and I stand with the students to ensure it does," Kishor added.

Political Repercussions

The incident has triggered widespread political debates, with opposition leaders condemning the government’s handling of the protests. Several educationists and activists have also expressed solidarity with the students, urging authorities to investigate the allegations and ensure a fair examination process.

The protests mark a critical moment in Bihar's ongoing struggle to reform its examination system, as allegations of malpractice continue to fuel unrest among aspirants and raise questions about governance and accountability.