The final day of the Bihar Legislative Assembly’s Monsoon Session turned chaotic as the recent student protests took center stage. The opposition criticized the government for its handling of the student agitation, alleging excessive force, while the ruling alliance defended itself against accusations of attacks on lawmakers and journalists during the protests.
Senior Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) MLA Alok Mehta initiated the discussion by highlighting the alleged police action, arrests, and firing on protesting students. He called for the government to clarify the events that transpired during the demonstrations.
The verbal clash intensified as Mehta’s statements faced opposition from the ruling party members, leading to a heated exchange of words inside the Assembly. He accused the ruling party of suppressing student voices and labeled those against his stance as anti-student.
The RJD leader emphasized the importance of allowing students to protest peacefully without fear of intimidation or violence. He suggested that dialogue and engagement, rather than force, should be the government’s approach to address student concerns effectively.
Ruling alliance legislators refuted the opposition’s claims, denouncing the portrayal of events and calling for a censure motion over the alleged attacks on lawmakers and journalists. They stressed that violence against public representatives and media personnel cannot be justified in a democratic setup.
Members of the ruling coalition questioned the nature of the protests, alleging political motives behind the student-led demonstrations. They raised concerns about external elements infiltrating the protests, leading to unrest and chaos, and called for a thorough investigation to ascertain accountability.
Opposition lawmakers persisted in demanding answers from the government regarding the police’s actions during the student protests. They maintained that early engagement with students could have averted the confrontations and resolved grievances peacefully.
The intense exchanges and disruptions from both sides halted proceedings temporarily before normal business resumed. The student protests have become a contentious issue in Bihar, transitioning from the streets to the Legislative Assembly floor.
