The ongoing controversy over the BPSC 70th Combined Examination continues, with students in Bihar protesting for a re-examination.
The protest intensified after disturbing images of police brutality towards students in Patna emerged. People are questioning why Chief Minister Nitish Kumar allowed such harsh treatment of students.
Opposition parties have criticised the government's actions, asking whether the students were demanding something unreasonable, as they were treated more harshly than during the Emergency.
Student protest and police action
The police's actions, including lathi charges and water spraying on students sitting on a dharna in Patna's cold weather, have drawn widespread criticism. Despite the students pleading with folded hands, the police did not stop the violence.
This incident is not an isolated case, as it was the third time in December that BPSC students faced such harsh treatment. Many students were seriously injured during these protests.
BPSC exam issues
The protests began after allegations of irregularities during the BPSC exam held on December 13, particularly at the Bapu Exam Centre in Patna. The exam at this centre was cancelled, and 12,000 students now face the prospect of re-examination.
However, students are demanding that the entire exam be cancelled, not just at the Bapu Centre, due to widespread issues across Bihar. They are also calling for the removal of the BPSC chairman.
Also Read: FIR against Kishor for 'inciting' BPSC aspirants’ protest
Political conspiracy claims
While Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has not made any public statements regarding the police brutality or the students’ demands, Neeraj Kumar, a member of the opposition, has accused the movement of being a political conspiracy.
He claimed that some people cannot accept that jobs are being given out without political favours.
RJD’s criticism
The opposition, particularly Lalu Yadav’s RJD party, has harshly criticised Nitish Kumar, accusing him of treating students with emergency-like brutality. Tejaswi Yadav has also questioned why the Chief Minister has remained silent while students are being beaten.
Also Read: BPSC row: Yadav slams Kishor’s party as Nitish’s ‘B-team’
State government’s silence
So far, the state government, including Nitish Kumar, Deputy CM Vijay Sinha, and Education Minister Samrat Chaudhary, has not addressed the issue in a meaningful way.
The government has been silent, and no concrete response has been given to the demands of the students.
Prashant Kishor’s allegations
Prashant Kishor has also raised serious concerns, alleging that students who were treated at the hospital after the lathi charge were forcibly removed from their beds and made to lie on the ground.
This has further fueled the opposition's attack on Nitish Kumar. The call for Nitish's resignation is growing louder, with protests taking place in Patna and even in Delhi. Despite this, the Chief Minister has yet to address the situation.
Students, as well as political leaders, are calling for a fair resolution, with demands for a re-examination of the BPSC 70th exam and accountability for the actions taken against the protesting students.
Also Read: Prashant Kishor faces backlash from lathicharged students
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