Patna witnessed high tension on Tuesday as teacher aspirants protesting for the release of the BPSC TRE 4 notification faced police action. The Bihar Police resorted to lathi-charge to disperse the large group of candidates who had gathered in the city. Several protestors sustained injuries as the police used batons to chase them away.

Teacher Aspirants Demand BPSC TRE 4 Notification

The protest began after thousands of teacher aspirants from various districts of Bihar assembled in Patna. Their primary demand was the immediate release of the notification for the fourth phase of the BPSC Teacher Recruitment Exam (BPSC TRE 4) with 1.20 lakh vacancies. Protestors marched towards central locations in the city, leading to massive traffic disruptions, particularly near JP Golambar and adjacent areas.

Candidates also tried to reach Dak Bungalow Chowk, one of the busiest junctions in the city. The police had already set up barricades to prevent the crowd from moving further. However, as protestors tried to break through the barricades, the situation escalated.

Police Response and Lathi-Charge

When the crowd turned uncontrollable, the Patna Police resorted to lathi-charge. Witnesses reported that officers chased protestors across the streets, hitting them with batons to force them away. Many students, including women aspirants, suffered injuries during the clash.

The police justified their action, stating that the gathering had disrupted law and order in the city. However, the injured candidates accused the authorities of using excessive force instead of addressing their legitimate demands.

Candidates’ Key Demands

The aspirants are pressing the Bihar government and the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) to issue the notification for BPSC TRE 4 before the announcement of Bihar Assembly elections. They insist the notification should be released by September 15 and that the total number of vacancies should be raised to 1.20 lakh.

Protestors emphasized that the recruitment process should not be delayed further as it directly impacts their careers. They want the government to prioritize education and recruitment rather than pushing the matter until after the elections.

Government’s Plan for STET Before TRE 4

The Nitish Kumar government has already announced that the State Teachers Eligibility Test (STET) will be conducted before BPSC TRE 4. According to the official schedule, applications for STET will be accepted in September, with the exam planned for October. Only after STET is completed will the BPSC TRE 4 process begin.

As per current plans, BPSC TRE 4 is scheduled for December, which means the recruitment would take place after the assembly elections expected in October-November. This timeline has triggered frustration among aspirants, who want the recruitment completed before elections to avoid political delays.

Escalation of Protests in Patna

The protest created widespread disruption across Patna on Tuesday. Traffic at JP Golambar and surrounding routes came to a standstill for hours as large groups of aspirants gathered. The police tried to control the crowd with barricades, but when protestors forced their way ahead, the authorities escalated their response.

Scenes of chaos unfolded as students were seen running through the streets to avoid police batons. Some collapsed after being struck, while others regrouped to raise slogans against the government and the commission.

Background of BPSC Teacher Recruitment

The Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) conducts teacher recruitment examinations under the TRE scheme in phases. These recruitments are crucial for filling thousands of teaching vacancies across government schools in Bihar.

Earlier phases of TRE saw massive participation, with lakhs of candidates appearing for the exams. The fourth phase, TRE 4, is one of the most awaited recruitment drives, as the government had earlier indicated a large number of posts would be filled. Aspirants argue that any delay in issuing the notification would directly harm their future prospects.

Rising Tensions Before Elections

The protests come at a politically sensitive time in Bihar. With assembly elections scheduled for October-November, the demand for immediate recruitment has gained momentum. Candidates fear that if the notification is delayed until after elections, the recruitment process might face additional postponements due to political instability.

Aspirants are determined to continue their protests until the government commits to a timeline that ensures the notification is released before September 15.

The police lathi-charge in Patna has once again brought attention to the growing unrest among teacher aspirants in Bihar. With several candidates injured and public anger rising, the government faces mounting pressure to respond.

Whether the BPSC TRE 4 notification will be released before elections remains uncertain, but the aspirants have made their stance clear. They want timely recruitment, expanded vacancies, and a transparent process that prioritizes their careers and the state’s education system.