BPSC exam row: Stalemate continues despite intervention from Bihar governor, chief secretary

Stalemate over Bihar PSC exam cancellation demand continues, protesters give 48 hours ultimatum to government for resolution.

Stalemate over the demand for cancellation of a recent Bihar PSC exam continued on Monday (December 30, 2024), despite Chief Secretary Amrit Lal Meena holding talks with a section of protesters over an alleged leak of question paper for the competitive test.

Governor Rajendra Arlekar also summoned Bihar Public Service Commission Chairman Parmar Ravi Manubhai over the paper leak allegation.

Jan Suraaj founder Prashant Kishor, whose party colleague R. K. Mishra, a retired IPS officer, was among the delegates who met Meena, asked the protesters to give “48 hours to the Nitish Kumar government”, and said they could resume their stir if no solution came forth by the time.

Talking to reporters after being briefed by the delegates, the political strategist-turned-activist told reporters, “The chief secretary has given a patient hearing. He could not come up with a solution because this is a decision that would require intervention from the chief minister who is expected to return from Delhi tonight”.

“The Chief Minister has time till January 1 to resolve the crisis. I urge the students to wait for 48 hours. If nothing positive comes by then, they shall be entitled to resume their protest and we will extend our full support,” said Mr. Kishor.

However, Satyam, another delegate who also happened to be a disgruntled BPSC aspirant, said, “Our round-the-clock protest, which has been going on for more than a week at Gardani Bagh, will continue till a favourable announcement is made”.

Satyam said he was happy with the response from the chief secretary who listened to them patiently.