---
title: "BPSC official’s ‘elephant, dogs’ remark sparks protests in Bihar"
url: https://projectchintan.com/article/bpsc-official-bihar-protests-yjewl
publisher: Project Chintan
author: Project Chintan Newsroom
section: Politics
published: 2026-08-30T11:23:08.730Z
modified: 2026-08-30T13:00:05.279Z
language: en-IN
---

# BPSC official’s ‘elephant, dogs’ remark sparks protests in Bihar

A Bihar Public Service Commission examiner’s remark during protests over TRE-4 sparked a political row. Protests continue as demands include two-stage exams and concerns over Hindi-medium candidates, while officials defend context and call for calm.

## Key takeaways

- BPSC examiner Rajesh Kumar Singh faced a backlash for a proverb remark during questions about protests over TRE-4.
- Protests center on two-stage TRE-4 and concerns over negative marking and Hindi-medium candidate accessibility.
- Governor Hasnain engaged with protesting groups and formed a committee to study recruitment regulation changes within 15 days.

## What Happened

The controversy centers on Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) examination controller Rajesh Kumar Singh, who made a Hindi proverb remark during questions about protests by aspiring teachers. The protests in Patna’s Gardanibagh, which began around August 18, focus on the proposed two-stage pattern for the Teacher Recruitment Examination (TRE-4) and related concerns, including opposition to negative marking in objective tests. Singh later said the proverb was taken out of context and expressed regret if anyone was hurt. Separately, a meeting between Bihar Governor Syed Ata Hasnain and protesting PhD scholars led to assurances that key demands concerning the 2026 Assistant Professor Recruitment Regulations would be considered, with a committee to review several issues to be formed within 15 days. Protests by other groups continued at the time.

## Why It Matters

The remark prompted political backlash from opposition figures and student groups, drawing attention to perceptions of insensitivity by a public official toward protesters. The controversy coincides with broader debates over exam formats, language accessibility for Hindi-medium candidates, and the government’s handling of teacher recruitment regulations, potentially influencing public sentiment and policy discussions ahead of the next steps in TRE-4 and related reforms.

## Background

Patna has seen ongoing demonstrations by groups including the All PhD Holders and Research Association, which have since paused their hunger strike following a governor-mediated meeting. The protest environment also involves discussions on the proposed two-phase TRE-4 and the weighting criteria for API/PhD/NET-JRF in selection, as well as guest assistant professor conditions.

## Key Facts

- The protests in Patna’s Gardanibagh began before August 25, with demands centered on the TRE-4 examination pattern and two-stage testing.
- BPSC said negative marking would not be removed and that TRE-4 would be conducted in at least two stages.
- Controller Rajesh Kumar Singh used the proverb haathi chale bazaar, kutta bhaunke hazaar during remarks about protests, sparking backlash.
- Tejashwi Yadav condemned the remark as shameful; Rohini Acharya and others amplified criticism on social media.
- Singh later claimed the proverb was quoted in context and expressed regret if any group was hurt.
- A governor-mediated meeting led to assurances that key demands on the 2026 Assistant Professor Recruitment Regulations would be considered, with a 15-day timetable to form a committee to review age limits, exam structure, weightage, and guest professor conditions.
- Protests by various groups continued alongside the governor’s engagement and public statements by education officials.

## What Happens Next

Officials indicated that a committee would be formed within 15 days to examine the outlined changes to recruitment regulations and related weightage criteria. A formal response to the protest movements and any official apologies or clarifications may follow, as opposition leaders and student groups monitor the government's actions on TRE-4 and associated policies.

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Canonical: https://projectchintan.com/article/bpsc-official-bihar-protests-yjewl
Reported from: Multiple Sources