Protesters burned tires, blocked roads, and created traffic jams, especially in areas like Kankarbagh and Ashok Rajpath area of Patna.

Pappu Yadav's supporters protest in Patna over exam cancellation, disrupt traffic

The protests came as Jan Suraaj party founder and former political strategist Prashant Kishor continues his 'fast unto death' to demand the cancellation of the BPSC exam.

by · India Today

In Short

  • Protests erupted in Patna over BPSC exam demands
  • Pappu Yadav called for 'Bihar Bandh', causing chaos
  • Protesters burned effigies of top BPSC officials

Supporters of Independent MP Rajesh Ranjan, popularly known as Pappu Yadav, staged massive protests in Patna on Sunday (January 12), demanding the cancellation and re-examination of the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) exam. As part of the protests, Yadav called for a 'Bihar Bandh,' which disrupted traffic and caused chaos in several parts of the city.

Protesters burned tyres, blocked roads, and created traffic jams, especially in areas like Kankarbagh and Ashok Rajpath area of Patna. Effigies of top BPSC officials were set on fire, and vehicles were stopped by demonstrators to enforce the bandh. The situation led to severe inconvenience for commuters, with vehicles stranded for hours.

Pappu Yadav's supporters protest in Patna over exam cancellation, disrupt traffic

Despite the disruptions, police managed to clear the Dak Bunglow Crossing, detaining several bandh supporters to restore normalcy. Traffic movement gradually returned to normal after the intervention.

Pappu Yadav, the Independent MP from Purnea, organised the bandh in support of BPSC aspirants protesting alleged irregularities in the combined competitive examination conducted on December 13 last year. Yadav claimed the bandh also had the backing of Azad Samaj Party leader Chandra Shekhar Azad.

“Adequate security personnel have been deployed at different locations in the city to ensure smooth movement of vehicles. As of now, things are completely under control,” said Patna District Magistrate Chandrashekhar Singh.

The protests came as Jan Suraaj party founder and former political strategist Prashant Kishor continues his 'fast unto death' to demand the cancellation of the BPSC exam. Kishor, who was hospitalised on Saturday (January 11) due to health concerns, has resumed his fast after being discharged.

The state has been witnessing growing unrest over the Combined Competitive Examination. While the government denied allegations of irregularities, a re-test was conducted for over 12,000 candidates who had appeared at a specific center in Patna.

With inputs from Aniket and PTI