Prashant Kishor, the election strategist-turned-politician, is on a hunger strike in support of Bihar students demanding the cancellation of the state civil services exam. The protest, which began on Thursday, has taken an unexpected turn as Kishor's luxury vanity van has become a topic of controversy.
Kishor, founder of the Jan Suraaj Party, is on a fast-unto-death at Patna's Gandhi Maidan, with many students supporting him. They are protesting the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) exam held on December 13, which is alleged to have had a paper leak.
Amid his hunger strike, photos of Kishor’s expensive vanity van parked near the protest site have gone viral on social media, sparking criticism.
The vanity van, reportedly worth several crores, is equipped with luxurious features, such as air conditioning, a kitchenette, and a sleeping area, which has raised eyebrows among some.
However, Jan Suraaj Party spokesperson Vivek dismissed the controversy, saying, “This is not the issue. The issue is the future of the candidates.” He accused political opponents of trying to defame Kishor by focusing on the vanity van, emphasising that the focus should remain on the students' demands for justice.
Gandhi Maidan, where Kishor is holding his fast, is just a few kilometers from another protest site where Bihar Civil Service Aspirants have been staging a round-the-clock demonstration for nearly two weeks. Kishor, speaking on Thursday, said, “I am with these students with all my might... Till this issue is resolved, I’ll be sitting on a fast-unto-death.”
Also Read: Prashant Kishor protests BPSC paper leak in Bihar
The protests have also led to legal trouble for Kishor and his party. A police case has been filed against Kishor, Jan Suraaj leaders, coaching centre owners, and 700 unidentified protesters for allegedly causing unrest and disrupting law and order during last Sunday's massive Bihar students protest.
Tensions increased on Monday when police used water cannons to disperse the protesters. An altercation occurred between Kishor and some BPSC aspirants, with students accusing him of intimidating them.
Kishor denied these claims and blamed Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, saying, “The arrogance of Nitish Kumar is the reason these students are still protesting.” The protests continue as students demand a BPSC exam retest and justice for the alleged paper leak.
Also Read: NHRC orders Bihar CS to Act in BPSC aspirant slapping case
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