New Delhi: Police lathi charged students demanding a re-examination of the Bihar Public Service Commission’s (BPSC) Integrated 70th Combined Competitive Examination (Prelims) in Patna on Wednesday evening. The protest has been going on for over a week at Gardanibagh. It escalated on Wednesday when students marched to the BPSC office from their protest site.
It all began with protesters marching towards BPSC office holding placards and shouting slogans. They clashed with police near the BPSC office. The small police contingent was overwhelmed by the protesters after which reinforcements were called in. The situation turned violent as the police began lathi charge. Videos on social media showed students being chased and beaten. Several of them suffered injuries.
“We were peacefully trying to present our demands, but the police began the lathi charge,” an aspirant told news agency ANI.
Irregularities during preliminary examination
The protests were sparked by allegations of mismanagement and irregularities during the preliminary examination conducted on December 13. The BPSC cancelled examination at one centre in Patna—Bapu Pariksha Bhavan—but decided to proceed with the results from over 900 other centres across Bihar, as there were no reports of any mismanagement from there.
A CCTV footage from Bapu Pariksha Bhavan showed scenes of total mismanagement, question papers were being torn and snatched from candidates, following a 45-minute delay in their distribution. Some candidates spread rumours about the exam being cancelled, it further exacerbated the situation.
Opposition criticises govt
The BPSC chairperson, Parmar Ravi Manubhai, then announced the exam at the centre would be rescheduled for January 4. Officials said that the decision was taken in the interests of affected students.
The lathi charge incident drew sharp criticism from opposition parties. Lok Sabha MP Pappu Yadav condemned the government’s actions, accusing the ruling JDU-BJP alliance of mistreating students.
“Why are students treated like terrorists? Such attacks with sticks on those who demand justice! This is intolerable… we will hold a dharna tonight with the resolve to fight this government,” he declared.
