Fierce Protest by BPSC Aspirants in Patna: Students Break Barricades Over 70th BPSC Exam; Police Resort to Lathi-charge
The streets of Patna, the capital of Bihar, once again witnessed protests by competitive exam aspirants and stern police action. Thousands of aspirants took to the streets to vent their anger over issues concerning the pattern, dates, and transparency of the 70th Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) preliminary examination. What began as a peaceful movement turned volatile when students attempted to march towards the Commission's office. Upon being stopped by the police, the agitated aspirants broke through the sturdy security barricades, forcing the police to use water cannons and lathi-charge to bring the situation under control.
The events unfolded at Patna's Gardanibagh and Dakbungalow Crossing, where aspirants from across the state had been gathering since morning. The students were protesting against recent changes made by the Commission regarding the 70th BPSC exam, the introduction of a 'normalization' process in the examination system, and were demanding a fair, malpractice-free exam. Protesters argued that the new process would harm the interests of aspirants from remote areas and rural backgrounds. As the group of aspirants—carrying placards and shouting slogans against the administration—advanced towards the Commission, they clashed sharply with the police force already deployed there.
As students attempted to break the administrative cordon and move forward, the police immediately took charge of the situation. Initially, police officials warned the students via loudspeakers to remain calm and not disrupt traffic; however, as the pressure from the crowd mounted, water cannons were used in an attempt to disperse them. When the situation remained uncontrolled despite these measures, the police had to resort to the use of mild force (lathi-charge). A stampede-like situation ensued, leaving several students injured and causing massive traffic jams on major roads for hours.
This protest is not merely about an exam pattern; it reflects the deep-seated resentment brewing among lakhs of youths in Bihar regarding examination systems and administrative functioning. Over the past few years, the patience of aspirants has worn thin due to recurring issues such as question paper leaks, rescheduled dates, and litigation in various state competitive examinations. Regarding the BPSC—the state's most prestigious exam—students feel that altering rules right before the test undermines years of their hard work and jeopardizes their careers.
A comprehensive analysis reveals that these events highlight a significant communication gap between the government and the state's youth. In any democratic setup, it is the primary responsibility of the commission to address aspirants' demands in a timely manner and ensure complete transparency in the examination process. However, resorting to violence or damaging public property during protests cannot be justified. The administration and the BPSC commission should engage in constructive dialogue with student representatives to resolve their legitimate concerns, ensuring that the future of meritorious students is not left in limbo.