Students organized a protest
The recent protests by students demanding a re-examination of the 70th Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) preliminary exams have sparked a political storm and widespread criticism of the Bihar government. The situation escalated after reports emerged of police using water cannons and baton charges against the demonstrators, prompting outrage from opposition parties and student groups alike. The incident has shone a spotlight on allegations of corruption, rigging, and examination paper leaks, issues that have long plagued competitive exams in Bihar.
Congress leader and Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi took to social media to condemn the Bihar government for what she termed as “inhumane” treatment of students. She highlighted that this was the second instance of police brutality against students within three days, accusing the government of silencing dissent rather than addressing the root causes of the students’ grievances. “The government has a responsibility to combat corruption, rigging, and examination leaks, but instead, they are using force to suppress the voices of the youth,” Priyanka Gandhi wrote on X (formerly Twitter). She also targeted the BJP’s dual governance model, alleging that it has become synonymous with a “double oppression of the youth.”
Her comments align with her brother and fellow Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s earlier criticism of the BJP-NDA government, where he drew parallels with the tale of ‘Eklavya’s thumb,’ implying that the systemic failures in addressing exam malpractice are robbing young people of their potential. Rahul Gandhi described examination leaks and corruption as part of a broader failure to safeguard the future of India’s youth.
The criticism hasn’t been limited to the Congress party. Other members of the INDIA bloc, including the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), have voiced their concerns. Tejashwi Yadav, the former Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar and an RJD leader, described the police action as “painful” and “heartbreaking.” In a statement to ANI, he said, “It is heartbreaking to see BPSC aspirants being assaulted by the police. Many have sustained serious injuries. The footage that has emerged is distressing. As a young person, I empathize with their plight.” Yadav’s remarks highlighted the emotional and physical toll on the students, many of whom were left injured during the police action.
AAP leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh also condemned the incident, describing it as emblematic of the “dictatorship of an autocratic government.” He expressed his disappointment in Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s response, stating, “The brutal baton charge on BPSC candidates is unacceptable. Treating the youth in this manner is shocking.”
The opposition’s criticism comes amid growing discontent among Bihar’s youth, who have often expressed frustration over the state’s handling of education and employment-related issues. The controversy surrounding the BPSC exams adds to a long list of challenges that students and job aspirants in Bihar face, from allegations of corruption to delays in recruitment and exam results.
This incident has further fueled the narrative of a governance crisis in Bihar, with critics accusing the state government of failing to address the systemic issues that lead to such protests. While opposition parties have rallied to criticize the government, they have also called for immediate reforms to ensure transparency in public recruitment processes and prevent further injustices against students.
As protests continue, the incident has become a flashpoint for discussions about youth rights, governance accountability, and the urgent need for reforms in India’s examination system. The situation in Bihar serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by the country’s aspiring youth, who often find themselves at the receiving end of systemic inefficiencies and high-handed administration.
