Bihar has been shaken by the aftermath of an incident where Patna District Magistrate Chandrashekhar Singh allegedly slapped a student during protests following the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) preliminary exams. The incident, which took place on Friday at the Bapu Exam Center in Kumhrar, Patna, has sparked outrage among students, coaching centers, political leaders, and even law enforcement, drawing the attention of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).
The trouble began after students at the exam center protested against alleged irregularities during the 70th BPSC preliminary examination. According to students, there were significant delays in receiving the question paper, leading to chaos. Some students even tore the question papers and walked out of the exam hall, while others raised allegations of a paper leak. Around 300 to 400 students reportedly boycotted the exam, claiming the question paper had been leaked on social media before the exam started.
The protests intensified as students gathered outside the Bapu Exam Center, where Patna District Magistrate Chandrashekhar Singh, along with Patna Senior Superintendent of Police Rajeev Mishra, arrived to control the situation. In an escalation of the tension, the District Magistrate reportedly slapped one of the protesting students. The student was then taken away by police officers. This incident quickly became a political and legal matter. A Supreme Court lawyer, Brajesh Singh, brought the case to the NHRC, potentially increasing the pressure on the District Magistrate.
The BPSC, in response to rumors of a paper leak, dismissed the claims as part of a conspiracy. The commission’s Chairman Parmar Ravi Manubhai stated that the protests at one center were instigated by a few individuals who stole the question paper and spread rumors about its leak. The commission has promised police action against those involved in the alleged conspiracy and is reviewing CCTV footage to identify them.
District Magistrate Chandrashekhar Singh defended his actions, stating that his intention was never to harm any student. He explained that the slap occurred while he was trying to rush an official to the hospital after a heart attack and that the altercation was accidental. Singh claimed that minor delays in distributing the question papers at a few exam halls led to the unrest, but he asserted that no serious issues arose in other halls.
The incident has caught the attention of political leaders, with Leader of the Opposition Tejashwi Yadav sharply criticizing Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for the government’s failure to handle exam-related issues effectively. Yadav also condemned the police’s heavy-handed response to protesting students. Social media influencer Khan Sir, known for his educational videos, also expressed his support for the students and joined the protests. His involvement led to a confrontation with the police, but he was not arrested and was later hospitalized due to health issues.
The entire episode has raised serious questions about the administration’s handling of the BPSC exam and student protests, prompting legal and political actions that are expected to intensify in the coming days.
