On December 30, 2024, police used batons and water cannons to disperse student protesters affiliated with the Student Federation of India (SFI) who demanded re-examinations for the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) exam. 

Students had been protesting for eight days in response to allegations of mismanagement and irregularities in the BPSC exam. 

On the evening of December 30, protesters gathered at a public park, protesting the police’s use of force during an earlier demonstration that had occurred on December 25 and reasserting their demands for re-examinations. According to the Superintendent of Police Sweet Sahrawat, the crowd pushed police, prompting officers to deploy water cannons and use batons to disperse the students. Several students were detained. 

Scholars at Risk is concerned about the use of force during a protest. While state authorities have the responsibility to maintain order and prevent disruption, they must refrain from the disproportionate use of force and endangerment of civilians and must respect the right to freedom of association and freedom of expression. Students and members of the public must refrain from violence, especially on campus, and also respect the right to freedom of association and freedom of expression. Such actions, beyond harming the immediate victims, have a chilling effect on academic freedom.

Sources:
*SAR identified this incident in data made publicly available by the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED)
Hindustan
https://thenewsmill.com/2024/12/delhi-police-detain-sfi-members-protesting-against-lathi-charge-on-bpsc-aspirants-in-patna/ https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/bihar-police-lathi-charge-bihar-public-service-commission-exam-protesters-7330118
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/police-use-lathi-charge-water-cannons-on-bpsc-aspirants-protesting-in-patna/articleshow/116772916.cms?from=mdr