Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader and Leader of the Opposition in the Bihar Assembly, Tejashwi Yadav, on Tuesday announced that students who were jailed or injured during recent protests would receive a pension if his party comes to power in the state. The announcement was made on the final day of campaigning for the Bankipur Assembly by-election before Tejashwi began a roadshow in support of RJD candidate Rekha Gupta. He reiterated his support for the student movement and accused the government of acting only after sustained public pressure.

Addressing the media, Tejashwi claimed that the government withdrew cases registered against student protesters only after facing widespread criticism. However, he said several issues linked to the protests remained unresolved, particularly allegations regarding the use of AK-47 rifles during the demonstrations. Calling the incident serious, he demanded an independent judicial inquiry to establish the facts and ensure accountability.

Drawing a parallel with the pension scheme for participants of the Jayaprakash (JP) Movement, Tejashwi said an RJD-led government would introduce a similar benefit for students affected during the recent agitation. He said those who were jailed or sustained injuries while participating in the protests would be eligible for a pension, describing the proposal as recognition of their role in raising issues affecting the state's youth.

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The RJD leader also expressed confidence about his party's prospects in the Bankipur by-election, claiming there was widespread public dissatisfaction with the BJP. He said party workers were actively campaigning across the constituency and asserted that the RJD was receiving strong support from voters. Tejashwi further alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had cancelled a planned visit to Bihar for the campaign after sensing public anger against the ruling party.

Campaigning for the Bankipur Assembly by-election concluded at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, marking the end of an intense election campaign. Political parties made their final appeals to voters ahead of polling, with the by-election being closely watched as a test of public sentiment in Bihar. The outcome is expected to provide an indication of the political mood in the state ahead of future electoral contests.

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