Indian police use water cannon at new protest over test paper leaks

Bhubaneswar, India's eastern Bihar state, witnessed police deploying water cannons and arresting numerous protesters on Tuesday. The demonstrators were attempting to march towards the governor's residence, protesting against a civil services recruitment examination, which they claimed was marred by leaked test questions and other misconduct.

This examination, essential for recruiting officers to the state administration, had been held in December 2024. Over 300,000 candidates had taken part in the test, from which 2,000 positions were filled in June after two rounds of examinations and an interview. The state government had previously refuted allegations of a widespread question paper leak, but did order a re-examination at one center.

Footage from news agency ANI depicted hundreds of protesters breaching police barriers in the state capital, Patna, only to be pushed back by a water cannon. Protesters were also seen being taken into a police vehicle. "The protest is now peaceful, and most of the demands have been met by the government," stated senior police officer K.S.

Anupam to Reuters. Education Minister Mithilesh Tiwari echoed a similar sentiment, confirming the government's response to students' demands without providing further specifics. He also emphasized that the door for dialogue remained "wide open". In recent weeks, India has seen a surge in demonstrations over alleged malpractices in tests, following weeks-long youth protests by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) that forced the federal education minister's resignation in July.

Similar protests in neighboring Jharkhand led to the cancellation of civil service examinations in that state. The CJP has announced a peaceful march in New Delhi next month, protesting what it claims is the federal government's failure to fulfill some promises made earlier, including the withdrawal of police cases against protesters.