Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Thursday criticized the BJP over police action against job aspirants in Patna, accusing the ruling party of prioritizing power over addressing unemployment and suppressing those demanding jobs.
The controversy erupted on Wednesday when protests in Patna turned chaotic over the alleged leak of the question paper for the December 13 combined preliminary examination conducted by the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC). Police resorted to baton-charging protesters, leading to claims of injuries among job seekers, which senior police officials denied.
“Lathi-charging youth with folded hands is the height of cruelty. Under BJP rule, those demanding employment are met with sticks. Be it in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, or Madhya Pradesh, youth raising their voices are brutally assaulted,” Priyanka Gandhi said in a Hindi post on her WhatsApp channel.
“The government must think about the future of the youth in the world’s youngest country and draft policies accordingly. But the BJP’s sole vision is to protect its power,” she added, asserting that anyone demanding jobs faces oppression.
The Congress strongly condemned the police action, while Independent MP from Purnea, Rajesh Ranjan, also known as Pappu Yadav, announced a call for a Bihar bandh on January 1, 2025, if the December 13 exam is not canceled.
Police registered a case against protesters over Wednesday’s incident. Protesters alleged several individuals, including women, were injured during the baton charge, but the police dismissed these allegations.
Videos of the police crackdown went viral on social media, showing personnel chasing and beating protesters. Some clips depicted women among those targeted, while protesters were seen chanting slogans against BPSC officials and demanding the exam’s cancellation.
The job seekers have urged the BPSC to cancel the preliminary examination and reschedule it at the earliest. Their demands include addressing concerns about the question paper leak and ensuring a fair process.