Bihar Bandh Turns Violent: Pappu Yadav Supporters Force Shop Closures and Assault Passersby

Patna: Purnia MP Pappu Yadav’s call for a Bihar Bandh demanding the cancellation of the BPSC 70th PT exam created disruptions across the state, including Patna, Samastipur, Madhepura, Saharsa, and Katihar. Around 10 am, members of Chhatra Yuva Shakti Sangathan protested on Ashok Rajpath in Patna, later moving towards Dak Bungalow Square, where acts of vandalism and violence were reported.

Supporters forcibly shut down shops in Patna, threatening shopkeepers with sticks and beating those who resisted. They also vandalized a truck involved in metro construction work. In Katihar, a youth on a bike was assaulted during the bandh. Meanwhile, Pappu Yadav himself joined the protests, marching from Income Tax Golambar to Dak Bungalow Square, where he raised slogans against BPSC and stayed for 30 minutes before returning home.

In Samastipur, Yuva Shakti workers blocked the railway line near Bhola Talkies railway crossing, halting Vaishali Superfast Express and Kumbh Mela Special trains for about 30 minutes. In Katihar, supporters blocked roads at Shahid Chowk, while similar protests were observed in Saharsa, Madhubani, and Supaul, where workers took to the streets to enforce the bandh.

Guru Rehman, a protest leader, has received a notice from BPSC demanding an apology. Rehman, however, remains defiant, stating he is ready to go to jail but will not apologize. He has accused the BPSC secretary and chairman of lying and insists on re-examining the test. Meanwhile, Prashant Kishor, founder of Jan Suraaj, continues his fast unto death in support of the students’ demands. After being discharged from the hospital on Saturday, Jan Suraaj announced the next phase of their Satyagraha, starting Tuesday.

Pappu Yadav had earlier blocked roads on January 3 in support of BPSC candidates, halting passenger trains in Patna. He marched from the Secretariat Halt railway station to Income Tax Golambar, where he joined other protesters before returning home. On that day, his supporters blocked highways in 12 districts, including Patna, Purnia, Bhagalpur, and Kishanganj. Following the protests, a case was registered against Pappu Yadav and 40 supporters at the GRP police station for stopping trains.

Prashant Kishor’s hunger strike, which has now entered its 11th day, continues to demand the cancellation of the BPSC 70th PT exam. After being admitted to Medanta Hospital due to health deterioration, he was discharged on Saturday evening. BPSC candidates frequently visited him in the hospital, urging him to end the strike, but he remained firm in his resolve to continue until the demands are fulfilled.

The bandh has sparked widespread disruptions and violence, with authorities detaining many supporters across the state. Pappu Yadav’s aggressive approach and Prashant Kishor’s hunger strike have further intensified the ongoing movement for reforms in BPSC examinations.