BPSC controversy: Prashant Kishor's health worsens after hunger strike, admitted to ICU
PTC Web Desk: Prashant Kishor, the founder of the Jan Suraaj Party, was arrested early on Monday for holding an "illegal" hunger strike at Patna's Gandhi Maidan, protesting against the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) examination. However, his health rapidly deteriorated following the arrest, leading to his hospitalisation. After being released on bail later in the day, Kishor was immediately taken to a hospital in Patna, where his condition worsened further, and he was shifted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). The hunger strike, which he had started on January 2 to support civil service aspirants demanding the cancellation of the BPSC exam, had attracted significant attention, and his arrest triggered widespread reactions.
Kishor's protest had been ongoing for five days when he was detained by the police for violating a Patna High Court order that prohibits protests at Gandhi Maidan, restricting them to the Gardani Bagh locality. The police arrived early Monday morning and arrested him in connection with the case filed last week. He was later brought before a Patna court, where he was granted bail with a condition to provide a written undertaking that he would refrain from participating in "illegal" protests. Kishor rejected the condition, which he viewed as an admission of guilt, and instead chose to remain in judicial custody until his release later in the evening.
After his release, Kishor’s health took a turn for the worse, prompting his supporters to rush him to several hospitals in Patna. Initially, he was brought to AIIMS Patna, where he was denied admission without a clear explanation from the authorities. Kishor was then shifted from one hospital to another before being admitted to the ICU due to the severity of his condition. His supporters and family members expressed concern over the handling of his medical treatment, citing inadequate care and confusion during the transfer between facilities.
Speaking to reporters after the incident, Kishor recounted the details of his arrest and the subsequent medical complications. He described a minor clash between the police and his supporters at Gandhi Maidan when they attempted to detain him, though he noted that the police did not act inappropriately overall. He also criticised the authorities for their actions during the hours following his arrest, claiming that the police transported him between various hospitals for several hours, only to be taken to Fatuha's community centre for a medical examination, which he refused.
- With inputs from agencies
