Jan Suraaj chief Prashant Kishore expressed his support for the students protesting against the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) examination and criticised the Bihar government for its treatment of the protesters. He accused the government of converting democracy into what he termed “lathi-tantra,” highlighting the importance of students’ rights to protest in public spaces.

BPSC aspirants continue their demonstrations at Gandhi Maidan in Patna, where Gaurav Kumar, the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), also arrived to observe the situation as students demand a re-examination for the 70th BPSC prelims.

Kishore addressed the media, stating, “We are not here to protest. The students are gathered, and we are here to meet them. Gandhi Maidan is a public area frequented by people daily. If the students have no other place, they will gravitate towards a public venue. I do not understand why the government has made this an issue of its prestige, as it only causes them harm.”

He further remarked, “Bihar is revered as the mother of democracy, and if students are denied the right to express their opinions, it reflects a shift towards ‘lathi-tantra’… This is why we stand with the students.”

On a related note, earlier on Saturday, Delhi Police detained members of the Students’ Federation of India (SFI) who protested outside Bihar Bhawan against the police’s harsh response to BPSC aspirants in Patna. The protesting students are demanding the cancellation of the Integrated Combined (Preliminary) Competitive Examination (CCE) 2024 conducted by the BPSC on December 13.

Earlier, the Congress party has also condemned the police’s treatment of the job aspirants, while Independent MP from Purnea, Rajesh Ranjan, also known as Pappu Yadav, threatened a Bihar bandh on January 1, 2025, if the December 13 exam is not canceled.

“I had said in Parliament that in the same way that Eklavya’s thumb was cut off, in the same way the thumbs of the youth are cut off by leaking the papers,” Gandhi said in a post on December 26 on X.

Sharing the video of the police brutality, Gandhi said, “This is extremely shameful and reprehensible. Playing with the future of students will not be tolerated. We are with them and will fight to get them justice.”

 “The latest example of this is Bihar. BPSC candidates are raising their voices against the paper leak and demanding cancellation of the exam. But to hide its failure, the NDA government is instead resorting to lathi-charge on the students,” the Congress leader said.

Chaos ensued during a protest on Wednesday regarding the alleged leak of a question paper for the December 13 combined preliminary exam organized by the BPSC, leading to a baton charge by state police on job aspirants. Protesters alleged that multiple participants were injured during the police action, a claim that was refuted by a senior police officer.

Malayalam TV actor Dileep Sankar was found deceased in a hotel room located in Thiruvananthapuram, where he was staying for the filming of a television series. The production team noted that the last time he was present on set was two days prior to his discovery. During this period, the shooting was halted, and Dileep remained at the hotel, intending to return to work later.

His colleagues informed that he was facing some health challenges. The authorities have initiated an investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.

The hotel personnel found his body after a foul odor was detected emanating from his room. Manoj, the director of the series, confirmed that Dileep had been struggling with undisclosed health issues and was receiving treatment. He also mentioned the shooting break and noted that Dileep had not answered multiple phone calls from co-stars and the team.

Following the announcement of Dileep’s passing, actress Seema G Nair expressed her grief in a heartfelt Facebook post, reminiscing about a recent call from Dileep which she missed due to a headache, and lamenting the tragic news she received from a journalist.

“You called me five days ago, and I couldn’t talk because I had a headache that day. Now I found out the news when a journalist called me. What happened to you Dileep…why did this happen, God, I don’t even know what to write…my tributes to you,” she said.

Throughout his stay, Dileep was reported to have not left his hotel room. Authorities are currently investigating the cause of his death, although initial reports suggest there were no indications of foul play. The news of Dileep’s sudden death has reverberated throughout the Malayalam entertainment community, where he was a well-respected figure, known for his remarkable work in television and film.

He was recognised for his performances in popular series such as Ammayariyathe, where he played Peter, and Panchagni, where he took on the role of Chandrasenan. Dileep had also made significant contributions to notable Malayalam films like North 24 Katham and Chaappa Kurishu, both of which starred Fahadh Faasil as the lead.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday referred to the upcoming ‘Maha Kumbh’ as the “mahakumbh of unity,” urging attendees to leave the grand religious gathering with a commitment to eliminate hate and division within society.

During his monthly Mann ki Baat broadcast, PM Modi emphasised, “Maha Kumbh ka sandesh ek ho pura desh (The message from the Maha Kumbh should be that the entire country must be united).”

Highlighting the diverse attendees expected at the event, which will take place in Prayagraj from January 13, he noted the unparalleled demonstration of unity in diversity that the Maha Kumbh represents. “Maha Kumbh’s specialty lies not just in its vastness but also in its diversity,” he remarked. This significant religious occasion occurs every 12 years.

PM Modi also announced that the next Republic Day will commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Constitution’s implementation, stating, “It is a matter of pride for the countrymen,” and reaffirming that the Constitution has endured every challenge. “It is our guiding light,” he remarked, crediting it as instrumental in his own journey in public life.

He announced the launch of constitution75.com, a website aimed at connecting citizens with the Constitution’s provisions and spirit.

His administration has faced criticism from opposition parties for perceived weakening of the Constitution, a claim the ruling party strongly refutes. PM Modi has consistently pointed to his government’s efforts to reinforce constitutional values, while accusing the main opposition party, Congress, of undermining the Constitution during their tenure.

The Prime Minister revealed that, for the first time, an AI chatbot will be utilized at the Maha Kumbh, providing digital navigation assistance to help attendees find various ghats, temples, and akharas. Information about the event will be accessible in 11 Indian languages via the chatbot.

Furthermore, PM Modi shared advancements in public health, citing a WHO report indicating an 80 percent reduction in malaria cases and deaths in India between 2015 and 2023, a significant achievement. He noted that malaria was once a critical issue in the tea gardens of Jorhat, Assam, but community engagement in combating the disease has led to substantial progress.

Additionally, he referenced a study from the medical journal Lancet that reported increased timely cancer treatment in India, attributing much of this to the ‘Ayushman Bharat Yojana.’ According to PM Modi, this initiative has enabled 90 percent of cancer patients to initiate treatment on time, alleviating financial barriers that previously discouraged poor patients from seeking diagnosis and care. He stressed the importance of awareness, action, and assurance in the fight against cancer.

On the subject of India’s creative industries, PM Modi pointed out the rising popularity of animation films, television series, and movies, highlighting their potential for global influence. With 2024 marking the centenary of several cinematic legends, including Raj Kapoor and Mohammad Rafi, he spoke of an impending opportunity to showcase India’s artistic talent.

He announced that the World Audio Visual Entertainment Summit (WAVES summit) will be held in India for the first time next year, positioning the country as a hub for global content creation and energizing efforts to achieve a USD 5 trillion economy.