By Vishwapati
Patna: Jan Suraaj Party founder Prashant Kishor was arrested by Patna Police in the early hours of Monday during his hunger strike at Gandhi Maidan. The arrest occurred amidst heightened tensions as Kishor protested alleged irregularities in the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC).
In a pre-dawn operation, police surrounded the protest site and forcibly detained Kishor at 4 a.m. Party workers and supporters resisted the move, leading to police resorting to a lathi charge to disperse the crowd.
No Permission for Protest, Says Patna DM
Patna District Magistrate Chandrashekhar Singh confirmed the arrest, stating that Prashant Kishor and his supporters were protesting without prior permission. Following his detention, Kishor was transported to AIIMS in an ambulance and isolated from his supporters.
Despite his deteriorating health, Kishor had refused medical intervention and continued his hunger strike. The protest began on 2 January, with demands for the cancellation of the 70th BPSC preliminary examination over alleged irregularities.
Case Filed in Muzaffarpur Court
Separately, a case has been filed against Prashant Kishor in Muzaffarpur court, accusing him of inciting BPSC students. The protest site at Gandhi Maidan, where both Kishor and BPSC candidates had gathered, has since been cleared by police.
Tense Standoff Captured in Videos
Videos released by the Jan Suraaj Party show police forcibly removing Kishor from the site as supporters clung to him in protest. The footage also depicts a police officer slapping a protester on the head during the confrontation.
After Kishor’s arrest, the authorities conducted his medical examination at Fatuha’s Community Health Centre. Kishor has announced plans to file a petition in the High Court on 7 January to address BPSC irregularities.
Call for Opposition Support
Kishor appealed to Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader and former Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav to lead the student movement, citing his influential position as Bihar’s opposition leader.
“This is not merely a dharna but a passion to improve the lives of Bihar’s people and secure a better future for students,” Kishor said. Addressing allegations about using a vanity van at the protest site, he firmly denied the claims, inviting critics to inspect the area.
Despite the crackdown, Kishor’s hunger strike has drawn attention to the issues plaguing the BPSC and student grievances, setting the stage for further political and legal battles.
