BPSC aspirants’ stir enters Day 5, no solution in sight | Patna News – Times of India
Patna: The “satyagraha” by Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) candidates demanding the cancellation of the 70th Combined (Preliminary) Competitive Examination entered its fifth day on Sunday. The fast-unto-death, which began on Dec 20, has taken a toll on two of the seven protesters, whose health deteriorated due to low blood pressure.
The seven protesters include six candidates — Rahul Kumar Singh, Himanshu Raj, Ravish Kumar Raj, Sandeep Kumar, Ashutosh Anand and Satyam Raj — and a teacher, Sujit. Most of the candidates had exam centres in different districts, except for Himanshu, whose centre was the Bapu Examination Centre (BEC) in Patna. This centre witnessed severe mismanagement, leading to the cancellation of the examination there.
Candidates from Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Delhi and other states have gathered to voice their concerns. They argued that it would be “highly unfair” if the entire preliminary exam was not cancelled. “BEC is Asia’s largest exam centre with a seating capacity of 12,000. Around the same number of candidates appeared for the exam on Dec 13. This is equivalent to about 24 regular test centres as most centres accommodate around 500 candidates,” the protesters said.
They added that BEC candidates would have an advantage if they retake the exam after a gap of 30-40 days. “They not only have extra preparation time but also an idea of the type of questions asked,” said one of the protesters. The group added, “With 12,000 candidates retaking the exam, their chances of qualifying for the prelims, where only 20,000 are shortlisted for 2,000 vacancies, will be disproportionately high.”
Protesters also alleged irregularities at other centres across Bihar, including Bhagalpur, Gaya, West Champaran, Darbhanga and Siwan. “Mismanagement and wrongdoings were rampant statewide and protests are occurring in multiple locations. Evidence of this is available on social media,” said Pranav Purshottam from Supaul. He alleged that jammers in several rooms, including his, did not function properly and there were no backups during power cuts.
Candidates alleged that question papers arrived late in several centres, but no extra time was provided to compensate. “If such chaos occurred in Patna, the state capital, and BEC, Asia’s largest exam centre, how can the BPSC claim the exam was conducted smoothly elsewhere?” asked Kiran Kumari, who travelled from Jharkhand to join the protest.
Pradeep Singh, a protester from Agra, Uttar Pradesh, whose exam centre was in Rohtas, expressed confidence in the movement. “All satyagrahas in history have succeeded and ours will too. The BPSC will be compelled to cancel the entire 70th preliminary exam,” he said.
When asked about their next steps if the govt or BPSC ignored their demands, the protesters said they did not need an alternative plan. “Our ongoing movement is destined to succeed,” they said.
However, BPSC chairman Parmar Ravi Manubhai had earlier categorically denied allegations of any form of mismanagement occurring at any other exam centre across the state besides the BEC. “We have not received any complaint from any other centre of the state except the BEC. Hence, we have decided to cancel the exam of only the said centre,” the chairman had said.
Patna: The “satyagraha” by Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) candidates demanding the cancellation of the 70th Combined (Preliminary) Competitive Examination entered its fifth day on Sunday. The fast-unto-death, which began on Dec 20, has taken a toll on two of the seven protesters, whose health deteriorated due to low blood pressure.
The seven protesters include six candidates — Rahul Kumar Singh, Himanshu Raj, Ravish Kumar Raj, Sandeep Kumar, Ashutosh Anand and Satyam Raj — and a teacher, Sujit. Most of the candidates had exam centres in different districts, except for Himanshu, whose centre was the Bapu Examination Centre (BEC) in Patna. This centre witnessed severe mismanagement, leading to the cancellation of the examination there.
Candidates from Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Delhi and other states have gathered to voice their concerns. They argued that it would be “highly unfair” if the entire preliminary exam was not cancelled. “BEC is Asia’s largest exam centre with a seating capacity of 12,000. Around the same number of candidates appeared for the exam on Dec 13. This is equivalent to about 24 regular test centres as most centres accommodate around 500 candidates,” the protesters said.
They added that BEC candidates would have an advantage if they retake the exam after a gap of 30-40 days. “They not only have extra preparation time but also an idea of the type of questions asked,” said one of the protesters. The group added, “With 12,000 candidates retaking the exam, their chances of qualifying for the prelims, where only 20,000 are shortlisted for 2,000 vacancies, will be disproportionately high.”
Protesters also alleged irregularities at other centres across Bihar, including Bhagalpur, Gaya, West Champaran, Darbhanga and Siwan. “Mismanagement and wrongdoings were rampant statewide and protests are occurring in multiple locations. Evidence of this is available on social media,” said Pranav Purshottam from Supaul. He alleged that jammers in several rooms, including his, did not function properly and there were no backups during power cuts.
Candidates alleged that question papers arrived late in several centres, but no extra time was provided to compensate. “If such chaos occurred in Patna, the state capital, and BEC, Asia’s largest exam centre, how can the BPSC claim the exam was conducted smoothly elsewhere?” asked Kiran Kumari, who travelled from Jharkhand to join the protest.
Pradeep Singh, a protester from Agra, Uttar Pradesh, whose exam centre was in Rohtas, expressed confidence in the movement. “All satyagrahas in history have succeeded and ours will too. The BPSC will be compelled to cancel the entire 70th preliminary exam,” he said.
When asked about their next steps if the govt or BPSC ignored their demands, the protesters said they did not need an alternative plan. “Our ongoing movement is destined to succeed,” they said.
The seven protesters include six candidates — Rahul Kumar Singh, Himanshu Raj, Ravish Kumar Raj, Sandeep Kumar, Ashutosh Anand and Satyam Raj — and a teacher, Sujit. Most of the candidates had exam centres in different districts, except for Himanshu, whose centre was the Bapu Examination Centre (BEC) in Patna. This centre witnessed severe mismanagement, leading to the cancellation of the examination there.
Candidates from Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Delhi and other states have gathered to voice their concerns. They argued that it would be “highly unfair” if the entire preliminary exam was not cancelled. “BEC is Asia’s largest exam centre with a seating capacity of 12,000. Around the same number of candidates appeared for the exam on Dec 13. This is equivalent to about 24 regular test centres as most centres accommodate around 500 candidates,” the protesters said.
They added that BEC candidates would have an advantage if they retake the exam after a gap of 30-40 days. “They not only have extra preparation time but also an idea of the type of questions asked,” said one of the protesters. The group added, “With 12,000 candidates retaking the exam, their chances of qualifying for the prelims, where only 20,000 are shortlisted for 2,000 vacancies, will be disproportionately high.”
Protesters also alleged irregularities at other centres across Bihar, including Bhagalpur, Gaya, West Champaran, Darbhanga and Siwan. “Mismanagement and wrongdoings were rampant statewide and protests are occurring in multiple locations. Evidence of this is available on social media,” said Pranav Purshottam from Supaul. He alleged that jammers in several rooms, including his, did not function properly and there were no backups during power cuts.
Candidates alleged that question papers arrived late in several centres, but no extra time was provided to compensate. “If such chaos occurred in Patna, the state capital, and BEC, Asia’s largest exam centre, how can the BPSC claim the exam was conducted smoothly elsewhere?” asked Kiran Kumari, who travelled from Jharkhand to join the protest.
Pradeep Singh, a protester from Agra, Uttar Pradesh, whose exam centre was in Rohtas, expressed confidence in the movement. “All satyagrahas in history have succeeded and ours will too. The BPSC will be compelled to cancel the entire 70th preliminary exam,” he said.
When asked about their next steps if the govt or BPSC ignored their demands, the protesters said they did not need an alternative plan. “Our ongoing movement is destined to succeed,” they said.
However, BPSC chairman Parmar Ravi Manubhai had earlier categorically denied allegations of any form of mismanagement occurring at any other exam centre across the state besides the BEC. “We have not received any complaint from any other centre of the state except the BEC. Hence, we have decided to cancel the exam of only the said centre,” the chairman had said.
Patna: The “satyagraha” by Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) candidates demanding the cancellation of the 70th Combined (Preliminary) Competitive Examination entered its fifth day on Sunday. The fast-unto-death, which began on Dec 20, has taken a toll on two of the seven protesters, whose health deteriorated due to low blood pressure.
The seven protesters include six candidates — Rahul Kumar Singh, Himanshu Raj, Ravish Kumar Raj, Sandeep Kumar, Ashutosh Anand and Satyam Raj — and a teacher, Sujit. Most of the candidates had exam centres in different districts, except for Himanshu, whose centre was the Bapu Examination Centre (BEC) in Patna. This centre witnessed severe mismanagement, leading to the cancellation of the examination there.
Candidates from Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Delhi and other states have gathered to voice their concerns. They argued that it would be “highly unfair” if the entire preliminary exam was not cancelled. “BEC is Asia’s largest exam centre with a seating capacity of 12,000. Around the same number of candidates appeared for the exam on Dec 13. This is equivalent to about 24 regular test centres as most centres accommodate around 500 candidates,” the protesters said.
They added that BEC candidates would have an advantage if they retake the exam after a gap of 30-40 days. “They not only have extra preparation time but also an idea of the type of questions asked,” said one of the protesters. The group added, “With 12,000 candidates retaking the exam, their chances of qualifying for the prelims, where only 20,000 are shortlisted for 2,000 vacancies, will be disproportionately high.”
Protesters also alleged irregularities at other centres across Bihar, including Bhagalpur, Gaya, West Champaran, Darbhanga and Siwan. “Mismanagement and wrongdoings were rampant statewide and protests are occurring in multiple locations. Evidence of this is available on social media,” said Pranav Purshottam from Supaul. He alleged that jammers in several rooms, including his, did not function properly and there were no backups during power cuts.
Candidates alleged that question papers arrived late in several centres, but no extra time was provided to compensate. “If such chaos occurred in Patna, the state capital, and BEC, Asia’s largest exam centre, how can the BPSC claim the exam was conducted smoothly elsewhere?” asked Kiran Kumari, who travelled from Jharkhand to join the protest.
Pradeep Singh, a protester from Agra, Uttar Pradesh, whose exam centre was in Rohtas, expressed confidence in the movement. “All satyagrahas in history have succeeded and ours will too. The BPSC will be compelled to cancel the entire 70th preliminary exam,” he said.
When asked about their next steps if the govt or BPSC ignored their demands, the protesters said they did not need an alternative plan. “Our ongoing movement is destined to succeed,” they said.
