Patna: Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader and Bihar Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav was detained by police on Wednesday during a party march towards Raj Bhavan in Patna. Police used water cannons to disperse protesters as the demonstration escalated near the route to the Governor’s residence.
The march was led by Tejashwi Yadav and saw the participation of RJD MPs, MLAs and a large number of party workers. RJD MP Misa Bharti was also detained during the protest. The demonstrators had gathered at JP Golambar before beginning their march towards Raj Bhavan, now referred to as Lok Bhavan in Bihar.
The protest was organised over several issues concerning students and young people in Bihar. The RJD raised concerns over alleged examination paper leaks, unemployment, recruitment irregularities and the condition of the state’s education system.
A major focus of the demonstration was the July 25 incident in Siwan, where an AK-47 was allegedly used by a police constable during a student protest linked to examination irregularities. The incident triggered political controversy, with the RJD demanding accountability and a detailed investigation into the circumstances surrounding the police action. The constable involved was subsequently suspended and an inquiry was ordered.
Tejashwi had announced the Raj Bhavan march earlier this week, accusing the Bihar government of failing to address repeated examination-related problems. He had also questioned why a judicial inquiry had not been ordered into the Siwan incident and demanded answers from the state government.
As the protesters moved towards Raj Bhavan on Wednesday, police barricades were placed along the route. The situation became tense when demonstrators attempted to move beyond the security arrangements. Police then deployed water cannons to push back the crowd.
Visuals from the protest showed RJD supporters surrounding the police vehicle in which Tejashwi was detained. Some supporters were also seen climbing onto the roof of the vehicle as tensions rose.
Tejashwi later accused the state government of using force against protesters and said the government would eventually have to respond to the demands being raised by students and young people. The RJD has maintained that its protest is aimed at securing accountability over examination irregularities and the alleged police firing incident.
The confrontation has added to the political tension in Bihar, with the opposition stepping up its attack on the government over student issues, recruitment and law-and-order concerns. For the RJD, Wednesday’s march was also an attempt to bring these issues to the centre of the political debate ahead of the next electoral battle in the state.
The detention of Tejashwi and other RJD leaders, along with the use of water cannons, has now become the latest flashpoint between the opposition and the Bihar government.
