Violent clashes erupted in various regions of Bihar on Saturday due to protests concerning the alleged leak of the NEET-UG 2026 examination paper. Demonstrators engaged in stone-throwing, vandalism of public property, and road blockades across multiple districts during a statewide bandh. As tensions escalated, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned in an effort to mitigate the situation’s severity.

In Patna, Chapra, and Aurangabad, the most intense confrontations took place between security forces and protesters. Authorities deployed heavy police presence in sensitive areas, seeking to restore normalcy amid reports of violent encounters, including attacks on police vehicles. In Chapra, student protesters reportedly targeted police personnel, prompting high-ranking officials, such as District Magistrate Vaibhav Srivastava and Senior Superintendent of Police Vineet Kumar, to intervene and manage the unrest.

As the unrest continued, law enforcement reported that the situation had stabilised by the end of the day, although general tension remained pervasive in affected areas. The police presence was bolstered to ensure public safety and discourage further disturbances.

Demonstrations in the Capital

Protests in Patna were centred around prominent locations, such as Gandhi Maidan and Ram Gulam Chowk, as demonstrators rallied in support of the Bihar bandh related to the NEET paper leak. Images from the scene showed crowds vandalising traffic police booths, damaging police vehicles, and clashing with law enforcement. In response, police deployed tear gas shells to disperse the crowd after protesters attempted to breach barricades and engaged in violent tactics.

Patna Senior Superintendent of Police Kartikeya K Sharma stated that protesters had specifically targeted security personnel during the demonstrations. He confirmed multiple student detentions following the unrest, and emphasised ongoing vigilance by law enforcement. “We have detained several students. Our focus is on identifying and taking action against those responsible for the violence,” he remarked.

During this turmoil, Tej Pratap Yadav, chief of the Janshakti Janata Dal, joined the protesters to show his support for their cause. He was later detained by police in Patna while affirming the legitimacy of the students’ demands and expressing his readiness to fight for their rights.

Broader Context of Protests

In Aurangabad, two police officers were reported injured during confrontations, and stone-throwing incidents were documented in various other districts. Student groups, including the All India Students’ Association (AISA) and the Revolutionary Youth Association (RYA), organised demonstrations in multiple locations, such as Samastipur, Siwan, Madhepura, Nalanda, and Nawada. These groups blocked roads, set tyres alight, and chanted slogans calling for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the examination controversy.

The response to the statewide bandh was mixed; while violent clashes were reported in some districts, others, such as Nalanda and Rohtas, experienced relatively peaceful protests amid a strong police presence. Riot control units and additional police were stationed in sensitive areas to prevent further violence, and authorities cancelled police personnel leave to enhance law enforcement capabilities across the state.

This unrest follows prior anti-NEET protests in Patna that had escalated into violence, prompting significant police action. Many individuals have been arrested, with numerous FIRs filed against both identified and unidentified individuals. Authorities have stated that further arrests may occur as investigations progress, highlighting that student protests continue to rise across the nation, demanding accountability and reform in the examination system.

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