Bihar police used water cannons and force to disperse students protesting the 70th BPSC exam in Patna on Sunday [1].
The clash highlights growing tension between the state government and civil service aspirants over the integrity of public examinations. The unrest reflects a broader pattern of student dissatisfaction with the administrative handling of competitive tests in the region.
Protesters began their march from Gandhi Maidan, moving toward Raj Bhavan [1]. The confrontation intensified near the Income Tax roundabout and the Dak Bungalow crossing, where police deployed water cannons and conducted a lathi charge to break the crowd [1], [2]. Some protesters managed to break through police barricades before being pushed back [2].
The demonstrators demanded the immediate cancellation of the 70th BPSC exam [1], [3]. They also called for the release of students who had been detained in previous demonstrations [1], [3]. The protest site was located about two kilometers from the residence of the chief minister [3].
Authorities responded with significant legal action following the unrest. Police booked 700 people in connection with the protest [1]. This number includes several high-profile figures and activists who supported the students' demands [1].
The deployment of force comes as students continue to raise concerns regarding exam leaks and irregularities [3]. While the police said the measures were necessary to maintain order, the scale of the arrests indicates a strict government stance on the public demonstrations.
“Bihar police used water cannons and force to disperse students protesting the 70th BPSC exam.”
The escalation of force against BPSC aspirants suggests a deepening crisis of trust in Bihar's examination system. By booking hundreds of participants, including political figures, the state is signaling a low tolerance for public dissent regarding administrative failures. This conflict may intensify if the government does not address the underlying demands for exam transparency and the release of detained students.
