Former political strategist and founder of Jan Suraj Prashant Kishor and his supporters, who had started an indefinite hunger strike on January 2 demanding cancellation of the preliminary examination of Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC), were arrested from Gandhi Maidan in Patna in the early hours of Monday. Even before this, the district administration had earlier issued a notice asking the protesters to vacate the place.
Despite opposition from his supporters, a team of magistrates and officers from more than ten police stations arrived at Gandhi Maidan at approximately 3:45 am and took Kishor in an ambulance.
Officials said Kishor ignored the notice directing him to shift to Gardani Bagh. “The Gandhi Maidan police registered a second FIR [first information report] against him [Kishor] for illegal protest at Gandhi Maidan. Despite repeated reminders and requests, Kishor refused to shift his agitation. He was arrested and will be produced before court,” said Patna district magistrate Chandrasekhar Singh. He added Kishor was well.
Singh cited an order from the Patna High Court that states that a sit-in is only permitted at the Gardani Bagh protest site. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s police arrested Kishor at 4 am, according to a post on X by Jan Suraaj. He was on a five-day hunger strike in protest of the “corrupt examinations and ruined education system,” it further stated.
“With him, thousands of young people were taken to an unknown location.” The government’s “cowardice” was demonstrated by the police action, which Jan Suraaj condemned. Kishor was “forcibly removed” from Gandhi Maidan, according to Jan Suraj supporters, and taken in an ambulance to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Patna.
Supporters of Kishor claimed that during the fight, a police officer slapped him. “Kishor was raising his voice for students, and this is how they treat him. This is unacceptable,” said a protestor.
Kishor has previously stated that his party would file a high court petition on January 7 against the BPSC exam irregularities. “I will not end my fast until the Bihar government agrees to cancel the BPSC examination. We will continue doing what we are doing. There will be no change.”
Join our whatsapp group for Latest updates