Despite Supporting BPSC Aspirants, Prashant Kishor Engages In Heated Argument With Protesting Students In Patna—Here's What Happened

On Sunday (29 December) night, student protests calling for the cancellation of the Bihar civil services examination escalated when police resorted to lathi-charge against the aspirants in Patna.

As the night progressed, the aggrieved Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) aspirants directed their fury towards Prashant Kishor, a political strategist turned politician, who had previously expressed his support for them.

The protestors at Patna's Gardanibagh accused Kishor of not being present during the police lathicharge and demanded him to leave the protest site. His arrival was met with chants of "Prashant Kishor, go back", sparking a heated argument with student leaders.

The situation became more intense when Kishor provocatively commented, "You take blankets from us and then show us attitude?" The protesters, already incensed by a previous police lathicharge and Kishor's absence during the event, became even more infuriated by this statement. They questioned, "Where was Prashant Kishor during the lathicharge?".

On the previous Friday (December 27), Prashant Kishore, the head of Jan Suraj, issued a "ultimatum" to the Bihar government. He insisted that the grievances of the BPSC aspirants, who were protesting, be met within three days, otherwise he would personally spearhead the protests.

On Monday, following his expulsion from the protest site by disgruntled BPSC aspirants who were upset over his absence during the lathicharge, Prashant Kishor held a press conference. He denied the accusations leveled against him, providing a comprehensive recounting of the events and underscoring his unwavering support for the students' cause.

Kishor asserted that the movement was spearheaded by the students themselves, a decision that was made during the "Chhatra Sansad" (Student Parliament). He stated that he departed from the site post advising the students to scatter, but the lathicharge happened 45 minutes after his departure.

He also voiced his disapproval of the police's actions and declared his intention to lodge a First Information Report (FIR) against Patna Police, escalate the issue to court, and reach out to the Human Rights Commission.

Kishor cautioned that he would personally participate in the protest starting 2 January if no agreement is achieved during the delegation meeting, India Today reported.

Meanwhile, a case has been lodged by the Bihar Police against Prashant Kishor and others, accusing them of inciting the protest carried out by BPSC aspirants. The police have stated that Kishor, along with his party associates, incited the candidates, leading them to cause unrest in various areas of the city.