Patna: Chief minister Nitish Kumar faced protests from candidates for the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) examinations on Sunday, as his convoy left an inauguration ceremony at the Patna Planetarium.
Dozens of aspirants for the assistant engineer post, many of them women, attempted to stop the chief minister’s vehicle, shouting slogans and waving placards. Security officials kept the convoy moving, preventing any interaction.
At the centre of the protest is a new weightage points policy, under which candidates working on contract are granted additional marks in the selection process. Protesters argue that the measure unfairly disadvantages regular and first-time applicants.
“We have been appealing for justice for a long time,” said Manish, one of the candidates. “This policy makes it nearly impossible for new candidates to be selected. The government should immediately withdraw it.”
The demonstration took an emotional turn when a female candidate broke down in tears while pleading to meet Kumar. “We have been struggling for two years. Relatives taunt us. My family wants me to marry, but I cannot give up after studying so hard without achieving anything,” she said. Fighting back sobs, she added: “The chief minister cares for women. I just want one chance to meet him.”
Security personnel told the protesters their demands would be relayed to the authorities. Later, district magistrate Thiyagarajan met the group and assured them that their concerns would be communicated to the BPSC.
