Jan Suraaj founder Prashant Kishor ended his one-day silent fast at Bhitiharwa Gandhi Ashram in Bihar’s West Champaran on Friday, pledging to donate 90% of his income over the next five years and the bulk of his properties, barring one in Delhi, to his movement. He also announced a renewed campaign in the state, “Bihar Navnirman Sankalp Abhiyan”, starting January 15, to ensure ₹2 lakh under the state government’s Mukhyamantri Mahila Rozgar reaches every beneficiary.
“For those who believe in Jan Suraaj’s ideology, Gandhi’s ashram has always been a source of inspiration. When we face tough times, we come back here, where this journey began, three and a half years ago,” Kishor said
Expounding on the recent Bihar Assembly election results, Kishor criticised what he described as a subversion of democracy through large-scale vote buying. “Never in India’s 75-year history has a government bought the votes of crores of poor families for ₹10,000 each… If I am wrong, let the government file a case against me and put me in jail,” he said.
“This injustice is not just against Jan Suraaj, or political parties, or the candidates who won or lost. The injustice is against those poor people whose dreams for their children’s education and employment have been traded for ₹10,000,” he said.
Prashant Kishor also announced a renewed campaign in the state, “Bihar Navnirman Sankalp Abhiyan”, starting January 15, to ensure ₹2 lakh under the state government’s Mukhyamantri Mahila Rozgar reaches every beneficiary. (Express Photo)
“From January 15, we will spend 15 to 18 months reaching out to every village, every ward, every home, standing with those who have been wronged and helping as much as possible,” he said.
Kishor declared that Jan Suraaj would work to ensure that women who received the initial ₹10,000 under the Mukhyamantri Mahila Rozgar Yojna now receive the remaining ₹2 lakh as promised, in keeping with the government’s scheme.
Recognising the financial challenges of his movement, Kishor said, “For the next five years, at least 90% of my income will be donated to Jan Suraaj to run this campaign. Additionally, barring my family’s residence in Delhi, all movable and immovable property acquired by me in the past 20 years will be donated as needed for Jan Suraaj. The lack of funds will never stop our campaign for Bihar’s poor. I will not let Bihar’s aspirations falter because of money.”
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“I am giving 90%, I am not asking you for even 10%. But I appeal to every person associated with Jan Suraaj, every individual who loves Bihar, donate at least ₹1,000,” he said. “If you are very poor, raise funds from your community. But those who appreciate Jan Suraaj’s efforts, simply watching YouTube or commenting is not enough. You must contribute ₹1,000 if you want to be part of this… If even one crore people from Bihar contribute ₹1,000 each, nobody can stop this movement for the next five years.”
“From now on, I will not meet anyone who has not contributed this amount to the campaign. I will not engage with anyone who does not support Jan Suraaj in a tangible way. The time for advice is over, the time for struggle has begun,” he said.
He also said that “yesterday’s cabinet formation rubbed salt in the wounds of Bihar’s people as ministers with corruption charges and criminal backgrounds have been re-appointed”.
