Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader and Bihar Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav was detained by police on Wednesday during a party-led march towards Raj Bhavan in Patna. The protest was organised to demand answers from the Bihar government over the alleged use of an AK-47 rifle by a police constable during a student protest in Siwan last month. The issue has triggered political criticism over the handling of demonstrations and concerns surrounding paper leaks and student grievances.
The march began at JP Golambar and was attended by RJD MPs, MLAs and senior party leaders, including Tejashwi Yadav and Misa Bharti. As the procession moved towards Raj Bhavan, police intervened and detained Yadav. RJD supporters were seen climbing onto the roof of the police vehicle carrying the opposition leader, while one protester carried a dummy AK-47. Police also deployed water cannons as the demonstration intensified.
Addressing the protesters, Yadav vowed that the RJD would continue its agitation until action was taken over the concerns raised by students. He linked the protest to broader issues including unemployment, examination transparency and recurring paper leaks. Reacting to the use of water cannons, Yadav alleged that the action was being carried out on the orders of Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary and maintained that such measures would not stop the opposition's campaign.
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RJD MP Misa Bharti also participated in the march and raised questions over the circumstances surrounding the Siwan incident. She alleged that the Bihar government had acknowledged before the Supreme Court that an AK-47 had been used during the protest and questioned who had authorised its deployment. Bharti also accused the state government of failing students and argued that those responsible should face action if established that proper procedures were not followed.
The controversy dates back to July 25, when a police constable was suspended after a video purportedly showing him using an AK-47 during a student demonstration in Siwan circulated on social media. The protest was linked to allegations concerning an NEET examination paper leak. Police officials had maintained that no one was injured in the firing and that an inquiry was initiated, while also noting that personnel had been instructed not to open fire during the demonstration.
RJD MP Manoj Jha and MLA Alok Kumar Mehta also joined the march, with the party highlighting paper leaks, unemployment and other concerns affecting students and young people. Jha argued that repeated examination irregularities had increased frustration among youth, while Mehta said the delegation intended to submit a memorandum to the Governor. The RJD has maintained that it will continue raising the issue until the concerns of students and young people in Bihar are addressed.
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