Patna, Jan 3: The agitation for the re-conduct of the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) 70th Preliminary Test (PT) gained significant momentum on Friday as protests erupted across Bihar, drawing widespread participation from students’ unions, political parties, and activists.

The protest saw dramatic scenes in Patna as students broke barricades at the JP roundabout in Gandhi Maidan and marched towards Dak Bungalow Chowk, aiming to proceed to the Chief Minister’s residence.

Members of the CPI-ML, Congress, and All India Students Union (AISU) joined the students, amplifying the demand for justice.

Purnea MP Rajesh Ranjan alias Pappu Yadav, a vocal supporter of the movement, led a separate protest by blocking railway operations at Sachiwalay Halt earlier in the day.

Rajesh Ranjan and his supporters then marched to the Income Tax roundabout, intending to block Bailey Road and Veerchand Patel Path.

Rajesh Ranjan’s aide, Raju Danveer, reinforced their determination to disrupt the BPSC examination scheduled for January 4, stating, “We went to the Income Tax roundabout to block the road. The examination scheduled for tomorrow will be disrupted. Protests will be held near the examination centres. We will ensure a re-examination at any cost.”

The statewide protest has drawn support from diverse groups, including political workers who marched alongside students to demand accountability from the BPSC and the Nitish Kumar-led Bihar government.

Paliganj MLA Sandeep Saurabh criticised the state government for its inaction, stating, “The agitation has been going on for 17 days, but the government has not resolved this issue. Evidence of irregularities has been presented. Instead of addressing the issue, the government resorts to lathi charges on the aspirants. We aim to make this deaf and dumb government aware of the issues faced by the youth.”

CPI-ML MLA Ajit Kushwaha also joined the protests, condemning the alleged irregularities as anti-democratic.

He emphasised the historical strength of Bihar’s movements against oppressive measures, saying: “Attempts to suppress the voices of Bihar with sticks and force have always failed. We will confront the Chief Minister to demand justice for the youth.”

Supporters of Rajesh Ranjan intensified their protests by blocking major roads and railway routes in Bihar.

The demonstrators blocked the Muzaffarpur-Barauni Highway near Khabra Shiv Temple, causing long traffic jams.

In Bhojpur (Ara), protesters set tyres on fire on the Ara-Sasaram Highway near Dhobi Ghatwa turn, bringing traffic to a standstill.

In Purnea, protestors disrupted National Highways, State Highways, and rail operations, crippling transportation in the region.

In Gaya, the demonstrators blocked the Manpur-Wazirganj main road, with slogans raised in support of BPSC candidates.

The protests have resulted in widespread disruption, including lengthy vehicle queues and halted railway services.

Protesters continue to demand the cancellation of the examination and emphasise the importance of transparency in the recruitment process.

New Delhi, Jan 3: The Supreme Court on Monday issued notice on a plea filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) challenging the acquittal of controversial self-styled godman Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh of the Dera Sacha Sauda in the Ranjit Singh murder case.

A bench of CJI Sanjiv Khanna and Sanjay Kumar directed to tag the CBI’s special leave petition with another pending petition filed by a family member of the deceased against the acquittal of Ram Rahim and four other accused.

In September 2024, a bench of Justices Bela M. Trivedi and S.C. Sharma agreed to examine a plea filed by the complainant Jasgeer Singh and sought responses from the CBI, Ram Rahim and the other accused persons.

In May last year, the Punjab and Haryana High Court allowed the appeals moved by Ram Rahim and others who were convicted by a CBI court in Panchkula in 2021.

A bench of Justices Sureshwar Thakur and Lalit Batra of the high court acquitted Avtar Singh, Jasbir Singh, Sabdil Singh, and Krishan Lal, all of whom were awarded life sentences along with the self-styled godman.

Despite the acquittal, Ram Rahim remained in prison as he stood convicted in other cases of rape and murder. Former Dera manager Ranjit Singh was shot by four assailants on July 10, 2002, at Khanpur Kolian village in Haryana’s Kurukshetra.

In 2021, a special CBI court found Ram Rahim and others guilty of the murder and sentenced them to life imprisonment. It was suspected that Ranjit Singh was murdered because of his alleged role in circulating a letter that narrated how the sect head was sexually exploiting women at the Dera headquarters in Sirsa.

Sirsa-based journalist Ram Chander Chhatrapati later used the same letter in a news report. He was killed soon after the report was published. Ram Rahim was also convicted on the charges of murdering the journalist.

New Delhi, Jan 3: Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a blistering attack against the Aam Aadmi Party government in the national capital on Friday, saying, “For the past 10 years, Delhi has been engulfed in a major ‘AAPada’. Some ‘Kattar Beimaan’ people (hardcore corrupt individuals), using Anna Hazare’s image, have pushed Delhi towards this crisis.”

In a scathing criticism of the AAP government, PM Modi said, “Scams in liquor contracts…scams in schools for children…scams in healthcare for the poor…scams in the name of fighting pollution…scams in recruitments…These people talked about the development of Delhi, but instead, they became the ‘AAPada’ and struck Delhi.” These people openly engage in corruption and then glorify it. It’s a case of stealing and then showing off. This ‘AAPada’ has descended upon Delhi, and that’s why the people of Delhi have declared war against it. Delhi’s voters have decided they will not tolerate this ‘AAPada’ and will bring about change, he remarked.

PM Modi called the AAP government a “destructive force” while highlighting the development the BJP has brought to the city. He pointed out that roads, expressways, and new infrastructure projects are progressing in Delhi because they aren’t affected by the ‘AAPada.’ He also expressed his desire to implement the Ayushman Bharat scheme in Delhi to provide free healthcare but noted that the ‘AAPada’ government was blocking it, depriving the citizens of its benefits.

In his address, PM Modi also inaugurated various schemes worth Rs 4,500 crore and presented keys to newly constructed flats in Ashok Vihar. He also virtually launched urban redevelopment projects, including the World Trade Center in Narojiji Nagar and new quarters in Sarojini Nagar. Moreover, he laid the foundation stone for Veer Savarkar College in Roshanpura, Najafgarh.

While addressing a rally in Delhi, PM Modi slammed former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal without naming him. Referring to social activist Anna Hazare, he stated that some “hardcore corrupt” individuals had used Hazare’s image to push Delhi towards a crisis.

He further sarcastically remarked, “Not only do they steal, but they also flaunt it. This ‘disaster’ ‘AAPada’ has fallen upon Delhi, and that’s why the people of Delhi have waged a war against it. The voters of Delhi have resolved to free the city from this ‘disaster.’ Every citizen of Delhi is saying, ‘We will not tolerate this AAPada, we will change it.”

He added, “I want to offer Delhi residents the benefits of the Ayushman Bharat scheme, which provides free healthcare. However, the ‘AAPada’ government has a major grudge against the people of Delhi. While this scheme is implemented across the country, the ‘disaster’ government is blocking it in Delhi, causing the citizens to suffer.”