Patna, August 29: In Bihar, the Bhim Army organized a ‘Rights March’ from Gandhi Maidan, demanding an 85% reservation policy for local candidates in government jobs. The protest took place on Saturday, continuing the wave of demonstrations in the state.
The march commenced at Gate Number 10 of Gandhi Maidan, with protesters aiming to reach the Raj Bhavan. However, police erected barricades to prevent the march from advancing.
In response to the protest, a significant number of security personnel were deployed between Gandhi Maidan and the Raj Bhavan. Tensions escalated when Bhim Army activists attempted to breach the barricades, leading to clashes between the protesters and police. Subsequently, several activists were detained.
The protesters insisted that 85% of government jobs in Bihar should be reserved for local candidates, arguing that the state government should provide more opportunities for local youth in recruitment processes. They also raised concerns regarding various competitive examinations, including the upcoming Bihar Staff Selection Commission (BSSC) exam.
Additionally, they demanded provisions allowing Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe applicants to file online FIRs. Despite their plans to march towards the Raj Bhavan, police halted the protesters before they could reach their destination.
The march was cut short due to the clashes and subsequent arrests. Compared to recent protests in Patna, the Bhim Army’s march saw relatively low participation, which diminished its visibility and impact.
In contrast, recent demonstrations organized by student groups and the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) attracted large crowds, resulting in confrontations between protesters and security forces at various locations in Patna. Many demonstrators were also detained during these protests. Notably, during an RJD protest, opposition leader Tejashwi Yadav was also taken into custody by the police.
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