Mamata calls urgent meeting at Nabanna tomorrow, key administrative officials to attend
Protests erupted at the BAPU Exam Centre in Patna on December 13 following allegations of irregularities during the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) exam. Candidates accused the BPSC of leaking the question paper and causing significant delays in the distribution of exam materials. Several students claimed they received their question booklets up to an hour late, while others reported that answer sheets were torn. These allegations fueled the protests at the Bapu Pariksha Parisar, with students demanding answers and accountability from the authorities.
The protest escalated as a group of candidates attempted to disrupt the ongoing examination process. Reports indicated that the protesters stormed the exam centre, with some attempting to forcefully halt the exam. Concerns were raised about the distribution process, with some students alleging that the number of question papers brought to the centre was insufficient for the number of candidates. One aspirant stated, "Half of the students did not even get the OMR sheet or the question booklet for 15 minutes."
During the protests, Patna District Magistrate Chandrashekhar Singh was filmed confronting a protesting student. The video showed Singh slapping the student after a brief argument. Singh later explained that his actions were prompted by the need to disperse the protesters, who had blocked the road, obstructing the movement of vehicles, including those transporting injured individuals to the hospital. He stated that his primary objective was to restore order and ensure public safety, clarifying that his actions were not intended to cause harm.
In response to the protests, two FIRs were filed, and teams were formed to identify and arrest the individuals responsible for causing disruptions at the exam centre. Authorities are investigating the incident to track down those responsible for the disturbances, which included obstructing the exam process and creating a chaotic environment. Despite the protest, BPSC Chairman Parmar Ravi Manubhai denied any claims of a question paper leak or other irregularities, stating that no formal complaints had been received by the commission. He insisted that the exam was conducted smoothly across Bihar, including Patna, and attributed any confusion to changes in the exam pattern.
The BPSC exam, which aims to recruit candidates for Group A and B posts in the Bihar state government, saw nearly five lakh candidates appearing for the exam across 945 centres. The protests have raised serious concerns about the transparency and integrity of the exam process, especially given the scale of the event. Investigations are ongoing, and authorities are working to address the claims of irregularities while ensuring the completion of the recruitment process.