PATNA — High drama unfolded in the capital city of Bihar on Tuesday as hundreds of job aspirants and students attempting to surround the Chief Minister’s residence breached security barriers, prompting law enforcement personnel to deploy water cannons to disperse the demonstration. In an unusual scene of defiance at the key intersection of Dak Bungalow crossing, several demonstrators carrying the national flag broke into dance under the water streams instead of dispersing.
The protest march, organised by candidate groups representing the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) and the Bihar Staff Selection Commission (BSSC), commenced from Gandhi Maidan following prior announcements. As the large gathering advanced towards high-security zones, demonstrators clashed with barricades erected at Dak Bungalow Chowk, leading to physical confrontations with security teams and the detention of several agitators.
Authorities bolstered security measures across Patna by stationing substantial reinforcements at major transit points, including deployments from the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and the Rapid Action Force (RAF) alongside state police units to prevent further escalation.
The unrest marks a significant escalation in ongoing agitations that have been centred at the Gardanibagh protest grounds for several weeks. The protesting candidates have put forward several core demands, including the adoption of a single-tier examination format for the Teacher Recruitment Examination (BPSC-TRE 4), increased transparency across state recruitment procedures, and fair opportunities for Hindi-medium candidates.
Additionally, citing alleged irregularities during the conduct of the 70th BPSC examination, several student factions have reiterated their demand for the complete cancellation of the test.
