Patna District Magistrate, Dr. Chandrashekhar Singh, has defended the detention of 43 individuals, including political strategist Prashant Kishor, during protests over BPSC exams. Singh stated that the protest at Gandhi Maidan was illegal and despite warnings, protesters refused to vacate. An FIR was filed and 15 vehicles were seized. Verification has shown that 30 out of the 43 detained individuals were not students, and Dr. Singh has warned of strict action against any future illegal protests.
BPSC Exam Protest: Mass Detention Draws Outrage
In the wake of the detention of 43 individuals, including political strategist Prashant Kishor, during protests over the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) exams, Patna District Magistrate Dr. Chandrashekhar Singh has defended the decision, citing illegal gatherings and refusal to disperse despite warnings.
Background
The BPSC exam protests erupted due to allegations of irregularities and discrepancies in the selection process. Candidates, claiming to have qualified the exam, accused the commission of unfair practices and demanded a probe. Protests intensified at Gandhi Maidan in Patna, where police used water cannons and batons to disperse the crowd.
Detention and Defense
On August 30, 2022, 43 protesters, including Prashant Kishor, were detained. Dr. Singh stated that the gathering was illegal and posed a law and order situation. He claimed that despite warnings, protesters refused to vacate, leading to the use of force. An FIR was registered, and 15 vehicles were seized.
Singh further revealed that verification showed that 30 of the detained individuals were not students. He warned of strict action against any future illegal protests, emphasizing the need to maintain law and order.
Outrage and Criticism
The mass detention of protesters has drawn criticism from various quarters, with allegations of high-handedness and infringement of democratic rights. Prashant Kishor himself has condemned the action, calling it "unconstitutional" and a "blatant violation of civil liberties."
Key Questions and Answers
1. Why were the protests held?
The protests were sparked by allegations of irregularities in the BPSC exam selection process. Candidates claimed to have qualified the exam but were not selected.
2. Was the gathering illegal?
According to the Patna District Magistrate, the gathering at Gandhi Maidan was illegal due to the absence of necessary permissions.
3. Why was Prashant Kishor detained?
Prashant Kishor was detained for allegedly inciting and participating in the illegal protest. He has since been released on bail.
4. What action has been taken against the protesters?
An FIR has been registered, and 30 of the detained individuals, who were not students, have been charged.
5. What are the future implications of this incident?
The incident has raised questions about the right to protest and the use of force by law enforcement in India. It is expected to have implications for future protests and the relationship between the government and its citizens.
On Engineers' Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi honored the legacy of Bharat Ratna Sir M. Visvesvaraya, a pioneering figure in India's engineering history. In a message on this occasion, the Prime Minister expressed gratitude and admiration for Sir M. Visvesvaraya's groundbreaking contributions that laid the foundation for India's modern engineering landscape. He also applauded the current generation of engineers for their creativity and determination in continuing to drive innovation and tackle challenges, highlighting their crucial role in building a developed India.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Manipur, his first since the outbreak of violence in 2023, aims to bring peace and progress to the state. He inaugurated various developmental projects and assured support from the government for ensuring peace and stability in the state. However, the Congress has criticized the visit, calling it "shockingly insensitive." PM Modi also emphasized the strong bond between India and Nepal.
Sanjay Raut, a leader of the Shiv Sena party, has called for a boycott of the upcoming India-Pakistan cricket match in Dubai, citing it as an insult to the victims of the Pahalgam terrorist attack. He also accused Indian cricket board chief Jay Shah, son of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, of forcing the Indian team to play in the match despite their reluctance. Meanwhile, Sena workers have staged protests and even broken a TV set to show their disapproval of the match.
Veteran ABC journalist Barrie Cassidy falls for fake news about Charlie Kirk's alleged killer, falsely accusing the suspect as a right-wing extremist. However, it was later revealed that the killer was actually influenced by left-wing ideology, causing Cassidy to issue a public apology for his mistake.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah emphasized the importance of Hindi as a "friend" rather than a competitor to other regional languages during his keynote address at the Hindi Diwas 2025 and Rajbhasha Conference. Shah traced the roots of Hindi's acceptance in Gujarat and highlighted how it has coexisted with Gujarati, providing children with a wider reach at the national level. This fifth edition of the conference held outside Delhi showcases the government's efforts to strengthen communication between Hindi and regional languages.
After the outbreak of ethnic conflict in Manipur in May 2023, Prime Minister Narendra Modi made his first visit to the state and addressed separate gatherings in Churachandpur and Imphal. In his speeches, he emphasized peace as a precondition for progress, reconciliation between the hills and valley, infrastructure, and welfare. He also announced a special package and funds for rehabilitation of over 60,000 people displaced by the conflict, showcasing the central government's commitment towards rebuilding lives in Manipur. With this visit, Modi aimed to ease tensions and promote unity in the polarized state, urging for collective will in bringing back normalcy and fostering development.
On the occasion of Hindi Diwas, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah shared greetings and urged the people of the country to take a pledge to preserve and enrich all Indian languages, including Hindi. They emphasized that language is a living heritage of identity and culture, and the growing respect of Hindi on the world stage is a matter of pride. They also highlighted the role of Indian languages in carrying forward India's culture, knowledge, and traditions through generations.
CM Yogi of Uttar Pradesh has been actively engaging with the public through the 'Samarth Uttar Pradesh - Viksit Uttar Pradesh @2047' campaign, with visits to all 75 districts and the gathering of over 1.5 lakh feedback entries so far. The top feedback entries have highlighted education as the biggest issue among the public, with over 50,000 suggestions related to education. Other areas of concern include urban and rural development, health, social welfare, and agriculture.
Amid massive anti-government protests and a constitutional crisis in Nepal, top sources reveal that former chief justice Sushila Karki is likely to be announced as the interim Prime Minister. This decision comes after days of political turmoil and unrest, with President Ramchandra Paudel pushing for a solution within the constitutional framework. Army troops continue to patrol sensitive areas while representatives of the youth-led 'Gen Z' hold talks with military officials to finalize the transitional government.
The political world was rocked by tragedy as Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, was fatally shot while speaking at a Utah college. President Trump expressed his shock and sadness over the loss of his close ally, and offered his condolences to Kirk's wife Erika, who is said to be devastated by the news. While the investigation into the shooting is ongoing and the killer is still at large, the President has announced plans to award Kirk with the Presidential Medal of Freedom posthumously.