Tension gripped Bihar’s capital as clashes broke out between student organizations and political parties at different locations in the city. Student protesters were demonstrating over examination-related issues at Dak Bungalow Crossing, while workers from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress faced off on Ashok Rajpath, leading to a violent confrontation. Eyewitnesses reported clashes involving lathis and stone pelting, resulting in injuries to several individuals. Police intervened to restore order, deploying additional security forces as a precaution.
BJP leaders alleged that their workers, gathered for a protest outside the Congress office, were attacked by Congress workers armed with lathis and stones. They claimed the incident was a pre-planned attempt by Congress to disrupt peace in Patna. The BJP accused the Congress of deliberately creating unrest, linking the violence to a Congress demonstration outside Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s residence in New Delhi.
In response, Bihar Pradesh Congress Committee President Rajesh Ram clarified that their protest aimed to address student-related issues and demand the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. He emphasized that the protest was against the government’s alleged negligence towards student concerns. Rajesh Ram highlighted the protest as a democratic expression against the government’s indifference, stating that democratic voices cannot be suppressed by power.
Patna SDPO (Law and Order-02) Komal Meena mentioned that the situation escalated when some protesters tried to advance, leading to stone-pelting and a lathi-charge. Several individuals sustained injuries and are currently receiving medical treatment. Police swiftly responded to the situation, controlling the unrest despite multiple protests occurring simultaneously in various parts of the city. Additional police forces were deployed, restoring normalcy after dispersing the crowds.
Authorities are investigating whether the protest organizers had obtained prior permission, with a decision on filing an FIR pending examination of the circumstances. The incidents unfolded amidst widespread protests in Patna concerning examination-related issues and student demands, prompting increased security measures across key areas in the city.
