Prashant Kishor Claims Unconditional Bail After Arrest for Illegal Protest in Patna

Prashant Kishor, founder of the Jan Suraaj Party, was arrested for an illegal fast unto death but later released on unconditional bail. Initially, he refused bail due to what he deemed unreasonable conditions. Kishor was detained at Gandhi Maidan, violating a Patna High Court order that restricts protests to Gardani Bagh. He was taken into custody after an FIR was filed against him last week.

Kishor's arrest followed his protest against the Bihar Public Service Commission exams, which faced allegations of a question paper leak. He demanded the cancellation of the December 13 exams and a white paper on past leaks. Additionally, he called for a domicile policy reserving two-thirds of government jobs for Bihar residents. His protest on December 30 ended with police using force.

Legal Proceedings and Bail Conditions

The court initially granted Kishor bail with a condition he found unacceptable: a written promise not to engage in illegal protests. Kishor and his legal team argued this implied guilt. Consequently, he was remanded to judicial custody. However, the authorities later released him without conditions after further legal discussions.

Kumar Amit, a Patna High Court advocate, explained that all charges against Kishor were bailable. He argued that the police should have granted bail without court involvement. The judge eventually agreed to modify her order, granting Kishor unconditional bail after considering higher court judgments.

Continued Protests and Political Reactions

Upon release, Kishor criticised the administration's lack of preparation, noting they couldn't take him to Beur Central Jail due to missing paperwork. He also highlighted how doctors refused to admit him without proper documents during his arrest. Kishor praised medical staff for resisting pressure to issue false certificates.

Kishor remains committed to his cause, planning to continue his protest at Gandhi Maidan. He urged politicians like Tejashwi Yadav and Rahul Gandhi to support the youth-focused demands. Kishor dismissed Yadav's remark likening the situation to a movie with a full cast and luxury vehicle.

Kishor has been accused of being aligned with the ruling NDA in Bihar. He countered these claims by criticising Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's leadership, suggesting it's run by retired bureaucrats close to Kumar. Kishor questioned why officials hurriedly removed him from court during proceedings.

Some police officers privately supported Kishor's cause but couldn't openly express it due to pressure from superiors linked to the Chief Minister's office. One officer even lent him a jacket during his detention in cold weather. Kishor plans to reveal more about his strategy soon and may seek legal action for exam cancellation.

Kishor's ongoing protest highlights significant issues in Bihar's public service exams and governance. His actions have drawn attention from both supporters and critics as he continues advocating for change in the state's policies affecting its youth.