New Delhi: Supporters of Independent MP Rajesh Ranjan, also known as Pappu Yadav, staged demonstrations across Patna on Sunday during a ‘Bihar Bandh’ called to protest alleged irregularities in the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) Combined Competitive Examination held on December 13 last year.
Protesters disrupted traffic in multiple areas of the Bihar capital, including Ashok Rajpath, Dak Bunglow Crossing, and Patna Science College. They burnt effigies of top BPSC officials and demanded the cancellation of the examination.
Security upped in Patna
Yadav claimed the bandh received support from Azad Samaj Party leader Chandra Shekhar Azad. Meanwhile, authorities assured that the situation remained under control. “Adequate security personnel have been deployed to ensure smooth movement of vehicles,” news agency PTI quoted Patna District Magistrate Chandrashekhar Singh as saying.
The protests are part of growing unrest over the December 13 exam, which has faced allegations of irregularities. While the government dismissed the claims, a retest was conducted for over 12,000 candidates who appeared at one Patna-based centre.
Kishor on fast unto death
The BPSC conducted a re-examination at 22 centres in Patna on January 4, following claims of malpractice during the preliminary test. The decision for the re-exam was made after alleged irregularities were reported at the Bapu Examination Centre in Patna.
Adding to the turmoil, Jan Suraaj party founder and former political strategist Prashant Kishor continues his ‘fast unto death’ demanding the cancellation of the exam. Kishor, discharged from a hospital on Saturday following health improvements, vowed to persist with his hunger strike.
