Kaimur: Protest at Bhabhua Ekta Chowk
In Kaimur district’s Bhabhua, supporters of Purnia MP Pappu Yadav staged a strong protest at Ekta Chowk against alleged irregularities in the BPSC examination. Former MLA Ramchandra Yadav led the demonstration, stating that this fight represents all of Bihar. Thousands of students have been protesting in Patna for 23 days, yet the government remains unresponsive. He criticized the government for using water cannons and lathi charges against peaceful protesters, many of whom are hospitalized. He vowed to continue the agitation until justice is served.
Jehanabad: Limited Impact of Bihar Shutdown
The Bihar shutdown had minimal impact in Jehanabad. Protesters under the banner of Yuva Shakti briefly blocked NH-83 and NH-110 near Arwal Mod, raising slogans against the government and demanding the cancellation of the BPSC examination. Despite this, life in both urban and rural areas remained largely unaffected, with shops and traffic operating as usual.
Gaya: Roadblocks and Protests
In Gaya, supporters of Pappu Yadav protested against the alleged irregularities in the 70th BPSC preliminary examination. Protest leader Rajeev Kumar Kanhaiya criticized the government for attempting to suppress students’ voices and warned of intensifying the agitation if their demands were not met.
Katihar: Demonstrations at Shaheed Chowk
In Katihar, the Bihar shutdown saw a significant impact as protesters disrupted traffic at Shaheed Chowk. Under the banner of Pappu Yadav’s supporters, demonstrators raised slogans against the government, demanding the cancellation of the BPSC exam and the announcement of a re-exam.
Patna: NH-31 Blocked, Protests at Dak Bungalow Chowk
In Patna, protesters blocked NH-31 by burning tires, while Pappu Yadav himself marched from Income Tax Golambar to Dak Bungalow Chowk. Protesters accused the government of corruption and demanded a high-level inquiry into the alleged irregularities in the BPSC examination.
Other Districts:
Protests and demonstrations were also observed in districts like Barh, Lakhisarai, and Madhepura. In Lakhisarai, protestors blocked roads near Jamui Mod, urging the public to support the Bihar shutdown and calling for justice for the students.
Support from Prashant Kishor:
Prashant Kishor, founder of Jan Suraj, continued his hunger strike in support of the students’ demands for the cancellation of the BPSC exam. Although his health deteriorated and he was hospitalized, he resumed his protest after recovery, pledging to continue until the demands are met.
Conclusion:
While the Bihar shutdown saw widespread protests in many districts, its impact varied across regions. Protesters demanded the cancellation of the 70th BPSC exam, an inquiry into the alleged irregularities, and a fair examination process. The ongoing agitation highlights the growing discontent among students and political leaders over the state government’s response. The resolution of this issue will shape the coming days in Bihar’s political and academic landscape.
