Chaos unfolded in the Bihar capital as police lathi-charged student protestors demanding accountability for alleged mismanagement during the Integrated 70th Combined Competitive Examination (Prelims). The exam, conducted by the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) on December 13, was cancelled after claims of irregularities emerged, sparking widespread demonstrations.
The protests reached a boiling point on Wednesday evening when students attempted to occupy the BPSC office. A video shared by ANI captured hundreds of young men and women flooding streets, chanting slogans, and holding placards. The police, initially overwhelmed, regrouped and forcefully dispersed the crowd. Disturbing visuals showed officers chasing and beating protestors, leaving many injured.
One protestor told ANI, “We just wanted to peacefully present our demands, but the police resorted to a lathi-charge. We’ve been protesting for eight days.”
Examination Chaos and Cancellation
The BPSC cancelled the preliminary exam held on December 13 at Patna’s Bapu Pariksha Bhavan after CCTV footage showed candidates tearing question papers and snatching them from others. Allegations arose that sealed question paper boxes had been tampered with, sparking chaos among candidates.
Authorities said 5,674 candidates eventually completed the exam under controlled conditions, but the fallout led to the announcement of a revised date—January 4. BPSC Chairperson Parmar Ravi Manubhai emphasized the rescheduling aimed to minimize inconvenience to affected students.
Political Reactions and Student Outrage
The police crackdown on protestors drew sharp criticism from opposition leaders. Lok Sabha MP Pappu Yadav condemned the ruling JDU-BJP alliance, saying, “Why are students treated like terrorists? This attack on those seeking justice is intolerable. We will sit on dharna tonight to protest against this government.”
The students, demanding justice and transparency, remain defiant as protests continue to highlight the challenges faced by aspirants in one of the state’s most crucial competitive exams.
Implications and Next Steps
The incident raises questions about the effectiveness of the examination process and the handling of public grievances. As the revised exam date approaches, students and authorities alike grapple with rebuilding trust in the system. Meanwhile, the protests underscore the growing unrest among youth in Bihar over issues of fairness and accountability in public service examinations.
Sources By Agencies
