BPSC protest in Patna: Water cannons, lathi-charge as students clash with police | VIDEO

Patna: A protest by thousands of BPSC aspirants in Patna turned tense on Tuesday as demonstrators clashed with Bihar Police while marching towards the chief minister's residence. The protesters broke through barricades, faced water cannons and lathi-charge, and some were seen throwing stones at police personnel.

The students had announced a 'Mukhyamantri Awas Gherao' to press the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) to change the examination pattern for the upcoming Teachers' Recruitment Exams. They are demanding that the written examination be conducted in a single stage, instead of being split into prelims and mains.

A section of the protesters also sought the cancellation of the BPSC Combined Competitive Exams held earlier this year, alleging irregularities in the examination process.

The procession began at Gandhi Maidan, with the protesters marching towards the chief minister's residence. They were joined by Left-wing activists affiliated with organisations including SFI and DYFI.

Police had deployed heavy security along the nearly five-kilometre route. At J P Golambar, water cannons were used to disperse the protesters. However, the demonstrators continued their march, with some turning the water-cannon action into what appeared to be a "rain dance".

The protesters later broke through barricades and reached Dak Bungalow crossing, one of Patna's busiest junctions and a key route towards Patna Junction, the Patna High Court and the Income Tax Office.

The situation escalated at the crossing, where videos circulating on social media showed police personnel carrying out a lathi-charge. Protesters were also seen allegedly throwing stones at the police.

One video showed a young police officer slapping a protester, while another showed a female demonstrator lying by the roadside after fainting. It was not immediately clear whether she had suffered an injury or had fainted due to dehydration amid the humid weather.

Several protesters were detained and taken to different locations. The exact number of people detained was not immediately known.

Why are BPSC aspirants protesting?

The main demand of the protesters is linked to the Teachers' Recruitment Exams scheduled to be conducted by the BPSC next month.

The aspirants want the written examination to be held in one stage rather than through prelims followed by mains. They have also been demanding action over what they allege were irregularities in the BPSC Combined Competitive Exams conducted earlier this year.

The agitation comes after protesters had been staging a dharna at Gardani Bagh for several weeks.

Anger over BPSC controller's remark

The protesters also voiced anger over a remark allegedly made by BPSC examination controller Rakesh Kumar Singh on Monday.

Singh had referred to the protesters using the Hindi proverb "Hathi chale bazaar, kutta bhunke hazaar", which translates to an elephant walking through the market while many dogs bark.

The protesters said the remark belittled their agitation and demanded action against the examination controller, accusing him of comparing them to "barking dogs".

The comment drew criticism from opposition leaders, including RJD working president Tejashwi Yadav.

Singh later issued a video statement expressing regret over the remark and said he had only used a proverb and did not intend to offend anyone.

CPI(ML) condemns police action

The police action drew a sharp response from the CPI(ML) Liberation, Bihar's prominent Left party.

State secretary Kunal condemned the police action and alleged that the BJP's "anti-student stance" was visible from Delhi to Bihar.

The party demanded that the state government stop what it described as coercive action against the protesters and instead hold talks with the students to address their grievances.

It also called for medical assistance for those injured in the lathi-charge.

With PTI inputs