Jan Suraaj party founder Prashant Kishor on Thursday announced in Patna that he was starting a fast unto death to press the demands of protesting Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) aspirants, who have been asking for the cancellation of the prelims held last month and for the exam to be conducted afresh. Kishor, who has joined the protesters in recent days, has also alleged corruption in connection with government jobs in the state. He had said Monday that he had learnt of “thousands of crores of rupees having changed hands” for the vacant posts to be filled up through the examination conducted by the BPSC. He told reporters in Patna on Thursday, “My demands include cancellation of the exam and holding of fresh tests. I also seek action against corrupt officials.” On Monday, Kishor had issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the Chief Minister Nitish Kumar-led government to resolve the matter, failing which the protests would be intensified. “As of now, the future of our young students should be the top priority. We can play the game of politics later,” he said. Earlier on Monday, he also asked why Nitish Kumar was “silent” when “the candidates are protesting in biting cold, braving lathi charges by the police and water cannons. The CM is away in Delhi, and having a good time. He did not utter a single word when reporters in the national capital approached him with queries on the stir.” Monday also saw a delegation of protesters meeting Bihar Chief Secretary Amrit Lal Meena. However, the protesters said they got no concrete assurance or timeline for addressing their demands. A day earlier, police had used water cannons and resorted to lathi charge to disperse protesters who tried to break through barricades set up to stop them from going towards the Chief Minister’s residence. Hundreds of candidates who had appeared for the BPSC prelims, conducted on December 13 at 912 centres across Bihar, have been protesting in Patna since December 18, calling for the cancellation of the exam, alleging that CCTV cameras and jammers had not been functional at several examination centres and that question papers had been distributed late at some locations. The BPSC has so far agreed to reschedule the exam only for those who took it at one centre in Patna, where an exam official died of heart attack amid ruckus. (With PTI inputs)
