28 July,2026 12:44 PM IST | Patna | mid-day online correspondent
Tejashwi Yadav.File Pic
Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader and Bihar Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav on Monday accused the NDA government in Bihar of suppressing student protests over the NEET-UG paper leak issue and warned of a statewide agitation if cases against the arrested students are not withdrawn.
Addressing a press conference, Yadav alleged that the Samrat Choudhary-led government was turning Bihar into a "police-backed state" and criticised the police action against students who had protested over alleged examination irregularities.
"The NDA government is trying to turn Bihar into a state ruled by police-backed goons. The Centre eventually accepted the students' concerns over the NEET paper leak, yet hundreds of students in Bihar were arrested. They were lathi-charged, and for the first time in the country's history, AK-47s were allegedly used during a student protest," Yadav claimed.
He further alleged that the firing was directed at protesters rather than being aimed into the air and said his party would intensify its agitation if the students were not released and the cases against them were withdrawn.
"We will not allow a situation where criminals are protected while students are jailed and fired upon. If the government does not withdraw the cases and release the students, the RJD will launch a massive statewide protest," he said.
The former deputy chief minister also targeted Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary's administration, questioning its performance after completing 100 days in office.
Yadav alleged that the government had failed to deliver on governance and accused Choudhary of focusing on personal privileges rather than public welfare. He also criticised the official arrangements made for the chief minister's wife during her visit to Munger, alleging that she received an unusually large security convoy despite holding no official position.
The remarks come in the wake of violent clashes in Bihar's Siwan on Saturday, where students protesting over the alleged NEET-UG paper leak and examination irregularities clashed with police. Security personnel used tear gas shells and resorted to a lathi-charge after protesters allegedly pelted stones. An incident involving the firing of an AK-47 by police personnel during the unrest also drew widespread attention.
Siwan Superintendent of Police Puran Kumar Jha told ANI on Monday that action had been initiated against the police personnel seen firing the AK-47 during the protest.
Following the incident, Yadav visited injured protesters admitted to Medanta Hospital and demanded strict action against the police personnel involved in the firing.
Calling peaceful protest a democratic right, he urged the Bihar government to ensure accountability and take immediate action against those responsible for the alleged use of force against students.
(With Inputs from ANI)
