Prashant Kishor joins Bihar student protest over BPSC paper leak, urges Tejashwi Yadav to lead

Prashant Kishor, founder of Jan Suraaj, participated in the ongoing protests in Patna on Sunday, January 5, following allegations of a question paper leak in the 70th Combined Competitive Examination (CCE) 2024 conducted by the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC). The protests have been led by students who are demanding the cancellation of the exam, citing irregularities and a lack of transparency. Kishor, known for his previous political campaigns, joined the protest early in the morning, expressing solidarity with the students.

During his participation, Kishor urged Tejashwi Yadav, the Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Bihar Assembly, to take charge of the protests. Kishor stated, “He [Tejashwi Yadav] is a tall leader. He is also the LoP. He should have led the protests,” encouraging Yadav to step up and lead the movement. Kishor emphasized that the protest should not be politicized and that the primary focus should be on addressing the concerns of the students. He made it clear that no political party banners were present at the protest, underscoring the student-centric nature of the demonstration. “We care about the agenda of the students,” Kishor said, distancing the protest from political motives.

The controversy surrounding Kishor's participation was further fueled by allegations about a “₹2 crore vanity van” supposedly stationed near the protest site. Kishor addressed these rumors, denying any connection to the vehicle and focusing on the sincerity of the protest. “This is not a dharna. This is the passion of the people of Bihar to better their conditions,” Kishor remarked, emphasizing that the protest was a reflection of the people's desire for a fair examination process. He also reassured his supporters regarding his health while on hunger strike, stating that although his throat was slightly irritated, he was otherwise in good health.

Tejashwi Yadav responded to Kishor’s involvement, accusing him of “hijacking” the student protest for political purposes. Yadav suggested that Kishor's participation was an attempt to divert the focus of the protest from the students' genuine demands and accused him of being aligned with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). “It is being completely politicized. We feel that the people of Bihar will have to recognize these people who are the BJP's 'B' team," Yadav said. His remarks have escalated the political tension surrounding the protest, with both leaders attempting to shape the narrative of the movement.

The protests began following allegations of a question paper leak in the BPSC exam conducted on December 13, 2024. Students claim that the integrity of the exam was compromised, and they are demanding its cancellation to ensure fairness in the recruitment process. The Bihar government has faced increasing pressure from both students and political parties to address these concerns. As the protests continue, the involvement of political figures like Kishor and Yadav has heightened the debate about the nature of the protest and its future direction. Despite the controversy, students remain firm in their demand for the cancellation of the BPSC exam, calling for a thorough investigation into the allegations of a paper leak.