Patna: Prashant Kishore, the founder of Jan Suraj Party, who has been on a fast-unto-death since January 2, was arrested by Bihar Police on the morning of January 6 from the Gandhi Maidan, where he had been staging his protest. Following his arrest at 4 am, Kishore was kept in an ambulance for five hours before being taken to Fatua Community Hospital and then brought to Patna’s Pirbahor Civil Court.
Speaking to the media after emerging from court, Prashant Kishore clarified the situation, denying media reports that claimed he had been slapped during his arrest. “The police’s behavior has not been bad,” he said, adding that his protest was not against the police. He also explained that after being taken to AIIMS, the hospital administration refused to admit him without providing any reasons. A minor scuffle occurred at the hospital gate, but Kishore insisted the police’s actions were not justified after that.
Kishore was then moved around in the ambulance for several hours, with no clear explanation from the police regarding his destination. At Fatua, the police attempted to conduct a medical examination, but Kishore refused, asserting that he had not done anything wrong. The doctor at the center also declined to provide a certificate, which Kishore appreciated, stating that the doctor did not support illegal actions.
After being taken back to Patna, Kishore was brought to court where he was granted bail by the Civil Court. However, the bail came with the condition that he would stop his protests. Kishore rejected the bail offer, stating that his fight was fundamental and that he was willing to go to jail for it. He stressed that the ongoing protests were against the misuse of force on youth and women in Bihar and the oppressive “lathi system” used by the Nitish Kumar government and the BJP.
Kishore’s hunger strike, which had lasted for five days, will continue even if he is jailed. “If fasting and Satyagraha are crimes in Bihar, then I am ready to commit that crime,” he said. He further emphasized that his refusal to accept bail was out of loyalty to the youth who had supported him and vowed to continue his battle against the government until the issues were addressed.
Prashant Kishore also urged his supporters not to resort to violence and to avoid pushing the police, as their actions were being dictated by higher authorities. He reiterated that this movement was not just about him but a larger campaign to end the oppressive tactics used by the Nitish Kumar government and the BJP in Bihar.
