Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has condemned the BJP-led government’s handling of a protest in Patna, where police reportedly used force against job seekers demonstrating over an alleged exam paper leak. The protest, which took place on Wednesday, turned violent when the Bihar Police baton-charged the demonstrators, many of whom were protesting the December 13 leak of a question paper from the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) combined preliminary exam.
In her sharp criticism of the BJP, Priyanka Gandhi called the police action “the height of cruelty,” especially targeting youth peacefully demanding jobs. She expressed her outrage over the state government’s response, stating that under BJP rule, those asking for employment are being “beaten with sticks.” The Congress leader emphasized that such violence against job aspirants is not limited to Bihar but has been witnessed in other BJP-ruled states like Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh as well.
“Lathi charge on youths who had their hands folded is the height of cruelty. In BJP rule, youths demanding employment are beaten with sticks. Be it UP, Bihar, or Madhya Pradesh – if youths raise their voice, they are brutally beaten,” Priyanka Gandhi wrote in a post on her WhatsApp channel. She also criticized the government’s failure to address the needs of the youth in India, the world’s youngest country, and accused the BJP of being solely focused on maintaining power.
The protest in Patna, sparked by the BPSC question paper leak, saw job aspirants alleging unfair practices and demanding justice. Though protesters claimed that several individuals were injured during the baton charge, a senior police official denied the allegations.
Priyanka Gandhi concluded by saying, “It is the government’s job to think about the future of the youth and make policies for it. But the BJP only has the vision of saving its chair.” The Congress leader’s strong remarks highlight growing concerns over youth employment issues and the treatment of demonstrators in various states.