Prashant Kishor, founder of Jan Suraaj and former political strategist, was arrested early on Monday after being on a fast-unto-death at Gandhi Maidan in Patna, demanding the cancellation of the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) exam.

Kishor and his supporters were removed from the protest site for being in a restricted area, making the demonstration “illegal,” according to police officials.

The arrest came on the fifth day of his protest over an alleged question paper leak in the BPSC’s December 13 exam. Kishor’s supporters claimed that police manhandled and slapped him while taking him into custody. However, Patna District Magistrate (DM) Chandrashekhar Singh denied the allegations, stating that only supporters who attempted to resist were removed.

Kishor and 43 of his supporters were detained during the operation, with 15 vehicles, including three tractors, seized. Singh revealed that none of the detained individuals were students or BPSC aspirants. “Some claimed to be students, but only five were from Patna, and four were from outside Bihar,” he added.

Singh confirmed that Kishor’s protest was “illegal” due to the location near a restricted area. Despite several requests to move the protest to Gardani Bagh, the designated protest area, Kishor and his supporters refused to comply.

The case regarding the December 13 BPSC exam, which Kishor has been protesting, is now in the Supreme Court. A petition filed there is seeking the exam’s cancellation and action against officials accused of using force during previous protests.

Kishor was taken to Patna AIIMS for a medical examination, although he initially refused. He later agreed to a check-up at a facility near Fatuha. The district administration reported that his health is stable.

While being transported from AIIMS, Kishor’s supporters tried to block the road, prompting police to use mild force to clear the area and maintain traffic flow.

Kishor began his fast on January 2 in support of civil service aspirants who have called for the cancellation of the controversial BPSC exam. A retest for select candidates was held on January 4, with over 8,000 candidates appearing for the exam.

Source: PTI

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