Bihar: Prashant Kishor Gets Bail Hours After Arrest Amid BPSC Protests, Walks Out Of Beur Central Jail

Prashant Kishor, arrested while fasting over BPSC protests, was granted bail hours after he went to jail. He initially refused “unreasonable” conditions imposed by court.

File Photo of Prashant Kishor, founder of the Jan Suraaj Party

Source : PTI

Prashant Kishor, founder of the Jan Suraaj Party, was granted unconditional bail on Monday, just hours after his arrest while on a hunger strike protesting against the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) exams. Prashant began his fast unto death on January 2 to highlight the demands of students demanding the cancellation of the BPSC exam. He walked out of Beur Central Jail after he was granted bail.

VIDEO | Jan Suraaj founder Prashant Kishor (@PrashantKishor) walked out of Beur Central Jail after he was granted bail.

Earlier today, Kishor was arrested for his “illegal” fast unto death and sent to jail upon refusal to accept bail, granted by a court with conditions that he… pic.twitter.com/sk5GNuyMzU

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 6, 2025

The 47-year-old was arrested early on Monday morning for violating a Patna High Court order. He had been booked for holding his 'Aamaran anshan' (fast unto death) at Gandhi Maidan, a public space, despite the court’s directive to hold such protests only in the Gardani Bagh area of Patna.

Notably, Prashant Kishor refused to accept it initially due to the “unreasonable” condition imposed by the court. He was asked to give a written undertaking, which he argued would have amounted to an admission of guilt, news agency PTI reported.

Addressing a press conference following his bail, Prashant Kishor said, "Two hours ago, the Bihar Police took me to Beur Jail. The court granted unconditional bail on our request. The voice and trust of the people are stronger than any power, and the impact of the 'satyagraha' is evident. I accepted going to jail, but they didn't keep me in Beur Jail as they didn't have the papers. While waiting for the papers, the court's verdict validated the police actions and also agreed that sitting at Gandhi Maidan for 'satyagraha' is not a violation of any law."

Prashant Kishor Alleges Police Attempt For Fake Health Certificate

Speaking to reporters before being taken to Beur Central Jail, Prashant spoke about his arrest, stating, "After being picked up at 4 AM, I was taken to AIIMS, Patna, for a medical examination, but the doctors refused to conduct it for reasons best known to them. Between 5 AM and 11 AM, the police kept driving me around in their ambulance, never revealing the location. When I inquired, they claimed they were trying to get me examined at PMCH or NMCH."

He further alleged that he was eventually taken to a community health centre in Fatuha, on the outskirts of Patna, where he refused consent for a medical test. "The doctors refused to issue a bogus certificate," he claimed, as per PTI.

"The government believes it can charge the baton on those making legitimate demands. If opposing such a regime is a crime, then I am ready to commit such an offence," he remarked.

Following his bail, he lauded the doctors for refusing to issue a fake health certificate, "When I went to AIIMS, few doctors mentioned being connected with Jan Suraaj for three years. I want to salute the doctors from Fatuha because despite the pressure from the police, they did not issue the fitness certificate as per their demand. When the police were bringing me to Patna from Fatuha, three-four policemen told me that they were once candidates for BPSC. They said that although they are tied to their jobs, they fully support my fight."

VIDEO | "When I went to AIIMS, few doctors mentioned being connected with Jan Suraaj for three years. I want to salute the doctors from Fatuha because despite the pressure from the police, they did not issue the fitness certificate as per their demand. When the police were… pic.twitter.com/7jP8VSlX65

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 6, 2025

"In court, many people assured me they are with me and I shouldn't be afraid. I’m still deeply grateful to the people of Bihar. My hunger strike will continue," he said.

BPSC Protests

Prashant's hunger strike and subsequent arrest came in the wake of controversy over the BPSC exam. On December 30, a protest organised by Prashant Kishor had led to clashes, including the use of water cannons and lathi charges. He has demanded the cancellation of the December 13 exam, which saw widespread allegations of question paper leaks. Nearly five lakh candidates appeared for the exam, and protests erupted when hundreds of examinees at the Bapu Pariksha Parisar boycotted it, accusing the authorities of malpractice.

While the BPSC denied the allegations, it ordered a fresh examination for nearly 12,000 candidates. However, some candidates, along with opposition parties including the RJD, Congress, and Left, have continued to demand the cancellation of the entire exam.