A protest march organized by the All India Students’ Association (AISA) in Patna escalated into violence as demonstrators clashed with police while trying to march towards Raj Bhavan. The protest, addressing concerns about paper leaks, corruption, and privatisation in education, saw police resorting to tear gas shells and water cannons after some protesters threw stones. Thousands of students, youth, and workers participated in the march that began at Gandhi Maidan’s Gate No 10 and aimed to reach Raj Bhavan, but police halted the procession near JP Golambar.
As tensions rose, a confrontation unfolded between protesters and security forces when the former attempted to advance, leading to the use of tear gas and water cannons by the police to disperse the crowd and restore order. The area witnessed a heavy police presence to prevent further disturbances. AISA members stated that the protest highlighted concerns about the declining state of public education and recurring irregularities in examination systems.
The demonstrators demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and Bihar Education Minister Mithilesh Tiwari, a swift investigation into paper leak incidents, action against corruption in examination processes, withdrawal of the 7.5 CGPA eligibility criterion, fee hike reversals, introduction of Non-NET Fellowships for PhD scholars in Bihar universities, and safeguarding the autonomy of educational institutions, including Patna University. They criticized the impact of paper leaks, rising educational expenses, and privatization on students nationwide, expressing worries about diminishing autonomy in higher education institutions.
Authorities ensured security measures were in place to prevent further violence during the protest. While the situation was eventually brought under control, some tension lingered in the area, with no immediate reports of arrests or injuries released. Authorities are anticipated to assess the incident and take appropriate actions based on their investigation.
