Jan Suraaj Party founder, Prashant Kishor, was arrested by the Bihar police on the morning of January 6, 2025, while he was sitting on an indefinite hunger strike at Gandhi Maidan in Patna. Prashant Kishor, who has been protesting in support of students demanding the cancellation of the Bihar Public Service Commission’s (BPSC) combined examination due to allegations of a paper leak, was reportedly “forcibly” taken to AIIMS by ambulance. He has been isolated from others and has refused treatment, choosing to continue his fast-unto-death.
Prashant Kishor, who had been on strike since January 2, 2025, alongside other demonstrators, had been demanding the cancellation of the 70th combined (preliminary) competitive exam conducted by the BPSC. The protest was organized after claims of a paper leak during the examination, and the students had gathered in front of the Gandhi statue at the Gandhi Maidan.
According to Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Awakash Kumar, Prashant Kishor and other protesters had been illegally occupying the restricted area in front of the Gandhi statue despite several requests from the authorities to vacate the area. The police had lodged an FIR at the Gandhi Maidan police station for illegal protesting in the restricted area. Despite repeated attempts to disperse the protesters, they remained adamant, leading to Prashant Kishor’s arrest. SSP Kumar confirmed that Prashant Kishor and his supporters were in good health and were being presented in court according to legal procedures.
In a video shared by news agency ANI, a large contingent of Patna police officers can be seen trying to remove Prashant Kishor from the protest site, with fellow protesters attempting to hold him back. The police also forcibly removed other demonstrators from the site. The protest had been ongoing in Gandhi Maidan for days and was part of a broader student movement demanding the cancellation of the BPSC exam.
Prashant Kishor, who made his name as an election strategist before diving into full-time politics, expressed his deep support for the students’ cause, stating that he would continue his indefinite hunger strike until their demands were met. In a previous statement, Prashant Kishor remarked that the students were enduring harsh conditions, protesting in the biting cold, facing baton charges from the police, and even water cannons. He criticized Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for his absence and alleged indifference towards the students’ plight.
While continuing his hunger strike, Prashant Kishor declared that his Jan Suraaj Party would approach the Patna High Court on January 7, 2025, to file a petition regarding the alleged irregularities in the BPSC examination process. Prashant Kishor stressed that his commitment to the cause was unwavering, and he would not halt his protest until the students’ demands were addressed.
However, Prashant Kishor’s protest has not been without controversy. A “vanity van” equipped with several luxury facilities was parked near the protest site, raising questions about Prashant Kishor’s sincerity. His political rivals criticized him for allegedly using the van to avoid media attention and to provide himself with comforts while on a hunger strike. Prashant Kishor defended his use of the van, explaining that he needed it to avoid accusations that he had broken his fast if he went home to use the washroom. He stated that he had been unfairly criticized for using the van, calling the accusations “foolish” and even offering to accept the van’s rental cost if it was so extravagant as claimed by his critics.
Despite the controversy surrounding the vanity van, Prashant Kishor’s hunger strike has become a focal point of the protest against the BPSC exam, which has gained significant momentum across Bihar. The political climate in the state is tense as the protest continues, with Prashant Kishor’s actions highlighting the growing discontent over what many see as irregularities in the examination process and the government’s failure to address students’ grievances.
As Prashant Kishor’s hunger strike enters its fifth day, the situation in Bihar remains fraught with tension, and the outcome of this political showdown between the government and students remains to be seen. The Jan Suraaj Party leader’s arrest has only fueled the protest, with growing calls for the cancellation of the BPSC exam and for a swift resolution to the students’ demands.
The protest, which has become a significant political issue, will likely continue to dominate the political discourse in Bihar in the coming days, with the fate of the students’ demands hanging in the balance.
