Bihar: Prashant Kishor Begins Indefinite To Fast To Support Protesting Students

Jan Suraaj Party leader, Prashant Kishor, has commenced an indefinite fast to support the students of Bihar who are demanding a re-test for the 70th Combined Competitive Examination. The students allege that the exam paper was leaked, triggering widespread protests.

Kishor, the founder of the Jan Suraaj party, expressed his solidarity with the students, saying, “I am with these students with all my might… Until this issue is resolved, I’ll sit on a fast-unto-death.” He has set up camp at Patna’s Gandhi Maidan, joining the ongoing student protest.

Bihar Protest Gains Momentum

Kishor’s fast comes as the students have been protesting for nearly two weeks near the same location. They have been demanding a re-examination after the allegations of a paper leak during the December 13 exam. The student-led protests have grown in scale, with leaders of the Leftist student wings planning a program tomorrow to gherao Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.

Kishor, who previously worked under Chief Minister Nitish Kumar as a member of the Janata Dal-United, has been outspoken in his criticism of the government’s response to the crisis.

He accused Kumar of “arrogance,” citing the Chief Minister’s refusal to meet with the students in the last 16 days. Kishor said, “This government has ditched and deceived students on all fronts. Even Chief Secretary rank officers are feeling helpless in getting an appointment with the Chief Minister for these students.”

Prashant Kishor Demands Action Within 48 Hours

Earlier this week, after a delegation of students met with Chief Secretary Amrit Lal Meena, Kishor set a 48-hour deadline for the government to take action. He warned that he would escalate the protest if the Nitish Kumar administration did not address the alleged paper leak and students’ demands.

Jan Suraaj Party’s Growing Influence

Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj party, which rebranded itself as a political entity in October, is positioning itself as a strong contender for the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections. The party plans to contest all seats in the state and is particularly focusing on gaining student support.

Kishor has repeatedly stated that his party aims to shift the focus of electoral politics in Bihar from populist sops to addressing issues that should shape the electoral agenda.

Leftist student wings have rallied behind the students’ cause as the protest intensifies. They have demanded a high-level inquiry into the paper leak and a re-examination. The Chief Minister’s silence on the issue has only fueled their resolve, and they are determined to make him address the matter directly.

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