Amid ongoing protests by civil service aspirants against the “normalisation” process in the Bihar Public Service Commission’s (BPSC) preliminary test, Patna Police confirmed that renowned educator and YouTuber Faizal Khan, popularly known as Khan Sir, was neither arrested nor detained.
The clarification came after a social media post from the handle “Khan Global Studies” alleged that Khan Sir had been detained, triggering widespread reactions. Dr. Anu Kumari, Sub-divisional Police Officer (SDPO) of Sachiwalaya, dismissed the claim as “baseless, misleading, and provocative.”
Protests and Police Action
The protests erupted near the BPSC office in Patna, where hundreds of aspirants demanded the withdrawal of the “normalisation” process for the upcoming 70th BPSC Preliminary Examination, scheduled for December 13. Protesters insisted that the exam be conducted in a single shift with one paper, arguing that the normalisation process was unnecessary and could lead to unfair results.
Patna Police reportedly used a mild lathi charge to disperse the demonstrators, escalating tensions and drawing public criticism.
Khan Sir’s Role in the Protests
Khan Sir, along with fellow educator Motiur Rahman Khan, known as Guru Rahman, voiced support for the aspirants and criticised the lack of communication from BPSC.
Khan Sir was seen visiting the Gardanibagh police station, sparking rumors of his detention. However, police clarified that he visited voluntarily and was later escorted to his vehicle at his request.
While addressing reporters, Khan Sir expressed disappointment over the need for such protests just days before the examination. He urged authorities to address the aspirants’ demands, including removing the normalisation process, extending the exam date, and accepting applications rejected due to server discrepancies.
“We believe in the Constitution and are protesting peacefully at the designated site. The students’ demands are legitimate, and we hope the government listens,” he stated.
BPSC’s Clarification
The BPSC issued a statement refuting claims of any changes to the examination process. It clarified that the 70th Combined Preliminary Examination would be conducted in a single shift on December 13, making the normalisation process irrelevant.
“Normalisation is neither mentioned in the exam’s advertisement nor proposed afterward,” the BPSC asserted.
What is Normalisation?
Normalisation is a statistical method used in exams conducted in multiple shifts to address variations in question paper difficulty. Protesters argue that its application in a single-shift exam is unnecessary and could lead to confusion.
Looking Ahead
As protests continue, tensions remain high in Patna. While the police maintain order, educators and aspirants are hopeful for a resolution that ensures fairness and transparency in the examination process.
Sources By Agencies