Patna witnessed escalating tensions as Bihar civil services aspirants protested against the “normalisation” process for the 70th Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) Preliminary Examination. Amid the unrest, social media was abuzz with claims that renowned educator Faizal Khan, popularly known as Khan Sir, was arrested—a claim that Patna Police has strongly refuted.
The Protests and Key Demands
- Aspirants gathered in large numbers near the BPSC office, demanding the withdrawal of normalisation—a process used to equalize the difficulty level of exams conducted in multiple shifts.
- Protesters insist the exam should be conducted in a single shift with one paper to eliminate the need for normalisation.
- Adding to their demands, aspirants are calling for an extension of the exam date and the acceptance of forms rejected due to server discrepancies.
Police Action and Clarifications
- Authorities resorted to mild lathi charge to disperse the demonstrators, sparking criticism and public outrage.
- Rumors of Khan Sir’s detention surfaced after he was seen at the Gardanibagh police station. However, Dr. Anu Kumari, Sub-divisional Police Officer of Sachivalaya, dismissed these claims as “baseless and misleading.”
- According to police, Khan Sir voluntarily visited the station and was later escorted to his vehicle at his own request.
Khan Sir’s Statement on the Protests
- Addressing the media at the protest site, Khan Sir highlighted the significance of the issue on the “land of Chanakya,” criticizing the lack of clarity from BPSC.
- He emphasized the need for accountability, stating, “We will not move from here until normalisation is assured to be removed.”
- Stressing the constitutional right to protest, he remarked, “We are protesting peacefully. We have no political motives but seek solutions to students’ concerns.”
BPSC’s Stand on the Examination Process
- Responding to the uproar, the BPSC issued a statement denying any mention of normalisation in the 70th Combined Preliminary Examination’s advertisement.
- The commission confirmed the exam will be conducted in a single shift on December 13, 2024, from 12 PM to 2 PM, rendering normalisation unnecessary.
- Despite these clarifications, aspirants remain apprehensive, citing a lack of trust in the implementation process.
What Is Normalisation in Exams?
Normalisation is a statistical process employed to address variations in difficulty across different shifts of an exam. While widely used in competitive exams, the process has often sparked debates over fairness and accuracy, particularly among aspirants.
Impact and Way Forward
The ongoing protests underscore the growing frustration among civil services aspirants over perceived inconsistencies in exam policies. The involvement of prominent educators like Khan Sir has brought national attention to the issue, putting pressure on authorities to address the concerns swiftly.
As the December 13 exam date approaches, all eyes are on BPSC and the Bihar government to ensure transparency and fair practices in the examination process.
This news report is curated with insights from multiple reliable news sources.
