Prashant Kishor's Hunger Strike: A Battle for Bihar's Youth

Prashant Kishor, Jan Suraaj founder, began a hunger strike demanding the cancellation of a controversial Bihar Public Service Commission exam. Allegations of corruption and a call for government job reservation policies were central. Kishor's protests follow accusations of leaked exam papers and police confrontation during a recent demonstration.

Prashant Kishor, the founder of Jan Suraaj, escalated his protest by embarking on a fast unto death, demanding the annulment of a contentious examination conducted by the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC). Kishor made this bold move three days after issuing an ultimatum to the state government led by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.

Kishor's demands include canceling the December 13 exam and holding a fresh test, citing allegations that exam-related positions were effectively 'up for sale'. He seeks accountability for corrupt officials and calls for reforms, such as implementing a domicile policy reserving two-thirds of government vacancies for local candidates.

The controversy escalates as accusations of exam paper leaks persisted, despite the BPSC's denial. Kishor, facing criticism from political leaders, pushes forward, highlighting broader issues like unemployment and seeking transparency in competitive exams over the past decade.

(With inputs from agencies.)