Bihar Patna Protest Today: Bihar’s capital experienced something horrific on Wednesday after police used tear gas shells, water cannons and baton charges to stop a student march heading towards Raj Bhavan and Lok Bhavan. The protesters, led by the All India Students’ Association (AISA), were demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the alleged NEET paper leak and wider concerns about examination irregularities.
Bihar Patna Protest Today
Hundreds of students had gathered in Patna, right before the “Lok Bhavan March” even started, and authorities intercepted them near the Gandhi Maidan area. When the demonstrators tried to inch toward the higher security zones, police stepped in, they stopped the procession from moving ahead and that’s how clashes broke out between security staff and protesters.
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As per police and media reports, the law enforcement team used water cannons along with tear gas to disperse the crowd once things got more intense and the situation didn’t really stay calm for long. Videos and eyewitness accounts circulating through the day showed protesters running for cover amid smoke and water jets while police worked to push the crowd back.
Why Students Are Protesting?
The demonstration was organised against alleged irregularities in the NEET examination process and the broader issue of repeated paper leak allegations affecting competitive examinations. Protesters also demanded accountability from the Centre and called for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
“We are on the streets to bring the Modi government back to its senses. Our demand is that in the wake of the brutal suppression of the Jantar Mantar protests, not only Pradhan, but also Union Home Minister Amit Shah tender his resignation as the Delhi Police had acted upon his instructions,” CPI(ML) Liberation MLA Sandeep Sourav, who is a former AISA national general secretary, was leading the procession told PTI.
The Patna march followed student demonstrations held earlier in Delhi and forms part of a wider movement demanding greater transparency in recruitment and entrance examinations across the country.
Security Tightened Across Patna
Authorities significantly strengthened security arrangements in the city as the march progressed. Additional police personnel were deployed around Raj Bhavan, the Chief Minister’s residence, the Bihar Assembly and the BJP state office to prevent any breach of security. Reports later in the day indicated that access to some sensitive areas was restricted as police monitored the evolving situation.
Separate reports also mentioned political tensions elsewhere in Patna, including clashes involving BJP and Congress workers near the state Congress office, prompting further security deployment.
As of Wednesday evening, security forces remained deployed across key locations in Patna while authorities continued to monitor the law and order situation. There was no immediate official confirmation of the number of injuries or detentions. Officials have urged people to maintain peace, while student organisations have indicated that their campaign for examination reforms will continue.
