The Bihar Public Service Commission on Saturday urged the Patna district administration to take strict action against those who instigated candidates to protest by spreading “misinformation” against the alleged change in the rules of the upcoming examination. The protesters were demanding that the BPSC preliminary exam be conducted on December 13 in a ‘one shift, one paper’ format and not using the ‘normalization of marks’ process.
Normalization equalizes the marks of examinations conducted in multiple shifts using a statistical formula. BPSC has already said that there will be no changes in the exam process and the old system of ‘one shift, one paper’ format will be used.
BPSC chairman Parmar Ravi Manubhai expressed disappointment over the uproar created after rumors of the “normalisation” process, which was met with widespread outrage. He told PTI, “It is strange that there is so much hue and cry over normalization. There is no point in accepting the protesters’ demand that they give in writing that normalization will not happen, because that was never the intention. I “I am going to write a letter to the district administration demanding action against those who instigated the candidates by spreading misinformation.”
He said that when BPSC never said anything about conducting the December 13 exam through the ‘normalization process’, there is no point in giving clarification. He said that ‘those who are provoking students and spreading misinformation should be identified by the district administration as soon as possible.’ Protests broke out in the state capital a day earlier and police detained several of those who demonstrated in prohibited areas, while social media was abuzz with rumors that two popular teachers of the candidates had been arrested.
Police denied that two people – YouTuber ‘Khan Sir’ and Motiur Rahman Khan, popularly known as Guru Rahman – had been arrested. ‘Khan sir’ has said that due to some rules of the organization to which he is associated, he cannot reveal his real name. Both Rehman and Khan have come out in support of the protesters, criticizing the alleged lack of communication from the BPSC and advocating for the rights of candidates. “We are with the students and will continue to protest until the commission tells us in writing that the situation will not return to normal,” Rehman told reporters on Friday.
Patna Police on Saturday dismissed rumors of Khan’s arrest, saying he had come to the police station on his own free will to express solidarity with the protesters detained for “illegal demonstration” near the BPSC office on Friday. Police on Saturday also registered a case against social media handle ‘Khan Global Studies’ for allegedly spreading misinformation about his arrest. SP Central Sweety Sehrawat told PTI: “Investigators will try to find out who were behind spreading misinformation about his arrest and his release today (misinformation). It is baseless. They have neither been arrested nor Neither was done nor taken into custody by the police.” He clarified that Khan had come to Gardani Bagh police station on Friday evening after meeting the protesters in the area where they were protesting.
He said, “He was repeatedly asked to leave the police station. On this he requested the police personnel to drop him in the police vehicle near his car parked near Atal Path. As per the request, he was taken to the police vehicle. Took to the place where his car was parked. That’s all.”
Khan openly supported the agitating BPSC candidates after the lathi charge in Patna on Friday. They reached the protest site in Gardni Bagh area of Patna to express their solidarity with the agitators. Police resorted to lathicharge to disperse a large group of protesting candidates near the BPSC office in Patna, demanding withdrawal of “changes” in the rules of the 70th BPSC preliminary exam scheduled for December 13.
Khan was not available for comments on Saturday as he was unwell and admitted in a private hospital in Patna. Police on Friday registered a case against agitating students who attempted to block traffic on Bailey Road near the BPSC office and arrested student leader Dilip Kumar for attempting to organize a protest in the restricted area. Khan and Rehman on Friday demanded that a statement be issued by the BPSC Chairman rejecting the use of ‘normalization process’ for the exam and that the exam date be extended as many candidates faced technical issues while applying. Fell.
BPSC Chairman said on Saturday that the dates cannot be changed. “It was already extended from October 18 (earlier last date) to November 4. More than 4.83 lakh candidates have already applied for the exam. It will be unfair to the candidates who have already applied “All preparations have been made for the examination to be held on December 13. Around 30,000 CCTV cameras and jammers have already been installed.”
