Lalu, Rahul criticise govt over police action on BPSC aspirants | Patna News – Times of India
Patna: A day after police resorted to lathicharge on students protesting against the alleged question paper leak in the Dec 13 combined preliminary examination conducted by the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC), political and public backlash intensified on Thursday.
Criticising the govt for its handling of the protest, RJD chief Lalu Prasad said that the incident could have been avoided. “Aisa nahi karna chahiye tha. Galat baat hai (They shouldn’t have done this. It’s wrong),” he said on Thursday.
Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, leader of the opposition in state assembly, accused the NDA govt of crossing all limits of “hooliganism” by ordering a lathicharge on peacefully protesting students. Stepping up his attack, the RJD alleged, “While in power, these people will themselves indulge in rigging and will also shamelessly protect corruption in examinations while playing with the future of Bihar.”
Rahul Gandhi, leader of the opposition in Lok Sabha, described the police action as “extremely shameful and reprehensible”. Sharing a video of the lathicharge, he wrote, “I said in the parliament that just as Eklavya’s thumb was cut off, the thumbs of youths are being metaphorically cut off through paper leaks. The latest example is Bihar. BPSC candidates are raising their voice against the paper leak and demanding cancellation of the exam, but instead of addressing their concerns, the NDA govt is using lathicharge to hide its failures.”
Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also lashed out at the BJP over the incident, accusing the ruling party of prioritising power over justice. “Lathi charge on youths with folded hands is the height of cruelty. In BJP rule, youths demanding employment are beaten with sticks. Be it UP, Bihar, or Madhya Pradesh — if youths raise their voice, they are brutally beaten,” she posted in Hindi on a instant messaging platform.
The protests erupted in Patna on Wednesday, following allegations of a question paper leak in the Dec 13 BPSC preliminary examination. Job aspirants gathered at Gardanibagh protest site to demand the cancellation of the exam and its rescheduling. The police baton charge resulted in chaos with protesters claiming several injuries.
The police department defended its actions, saying that the force used was minimal and that no injuries occurred. They also alleged that certain coaching teachers and social media influencers were instigating the protests.
Criticising the govt for its handling of the protest, RJD chief Lalu Prasad said that the incident could have been avoided. “Aisa nahi karna chahiye tha. Galat baat hai (They shouldn’t have done this. It’s wrong),” he said on Thursday.
Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, leader of the opposition in state assembly, accused the NDA govt of crossing all limits of “hooliganism” by ordering a lathicharge on peacefully protesting students. Stepping up his attack, the RJD alleged, “While in power, these people will themselves indulge in rigging and will also shamelessly protect corruption in examinations while playing with the future of Bihar.”
Rahul Gandhi, leader of the opposition in Lok Sabha, described the police action as “extremely shameful and reprehensible”. Sharing a video of the lathicharge, he wrote, “I said in the parliament that just as Eklavya’s thumb was cut off, the thumbs of youths are being metaphorically cut off through paper leaks. The latest example is Bihar. BPSC candidates are raising their voice against the paper leak and demanding cancellation of the exam, but instead of addressing their concerns, the NDA govt is using lathicharge to hide its failures.”
Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also lashed out at the BJP over the incident, accusing the ruling party of prioritising power over justice. “Lathi charge on youths with folded hands is the height of cruelty. In BJP rule, youths demanding employment are beaten with sticks. Be it UP, Bihar, or Madhya Pradesh — if youths raise their voice, they are brutally beaten,” she posted in Hindi on a instant messaging platform.
The protests erupted in Patna on Wednesday, following allegations of a question paper leak in the Dec 13 BPSC preliminary examination. Job aspirants gathered at Gardanibagh protest site to demand the cancellation of the exam and its rescheduling. The police baton charge resulted in chaos with protesters claiming several injuries.
The police department defended its actions, saying that the force used was minimal and that no injuries occurred. They also alleged that certain coaching teachers and social media influencers were instigating the protests.
