FAST UNTO DEATH CONTINUED FOR THE FOURTH CONSECUTIVE DAY TODAY

FAST UNTO DEATH CONTINUED FOR THE FOURTH CONSECUTIVE DAY TODAY

7-AUG-ENG 2

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

PATNA------------------------The indefinite hunger strike by candidates protesting against the new recruitment rules for Assistant Professors in Bihar continued for the fourth consecutive day on Thursday. Participants in the protest at Patna's Gardanibagh site alleged that the government is consistently ignoring their demands, even as the health of several fasting protesters has begun to deteriorate.

Movement convener Kumud Patel, along with Abhishek Mehta and Bikku Singh Pradhan, remains on the indefinite hunger strike. They assert that this movement is not merely about securing jobs but is a fight to safeguard the future of thousands of PhD holders, researchers, and higher education in Bihar.

The candidates state that they have repeatedly submitted memoranda to the government, held peaceful protests, and initiated dialogue, yet no concrete decision has been reached so far. Compelled by the situation, they were forced to resort to an indefinite hunger strike.

Key demands of the protesters include implementing the recruitment process in accordance with UGC regulations, setting the maximum age limit at 55 years, making a PhD a mandatory qualification, ensuring regular recruitment across all subjects, implementing a domicile policy, and guaranteeing the autonomy of universities and colleges.

The protesters have warned that if the government does not soon engage in dialogue and take a positive decision regarding their demands, the movement will expand across the entire state of Bihar.

A large number of candidates, including Radheshyam, Raja Paswan, Chandan Tiwari, Madhavi, Dr. Ritu, Dev Arya, Ratnesh Kumar, Vikas Kumar, Akash Kumar, Chandan Singh, Rahul Kumar Jha, Devendra Yadav, and Nitesh Patel, were present at the protest site.