AK-47 fired at students in Bihar Bandh: Tejashwi calls suspension 'token gesture'
Synopsis
An AK-47 allegedly pointed at student protesters during the Bihar Bandh in Siwan — and the government's response was to suspend one officer. Tejashwi Yadav is calling that out as a cover-up, demanding to know who gave the order. With the Bankipur by-election approaching, the incident is fast becoming a political flashpoint.
Key Takeaways
Tejashwi Yadav called the suspension of a police officer over the alleged AK-47 firing during Bihar Bandh on 25 July a 'token gesture'.
The incident occurred in Siwan district ; Yadav claimed video footage shows the rifle was aimed directly at students.
He demanded accountability from the Superintendent of Police , the Home Ministry , and Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary .
Yadav alleged a prior agreement in Delhi that no action would be taken against the students, questioning why force was still deployed.
He drew a parallel with the farmers' protest, accusing the BJP-led NDA government of repeatedly breaking agreements with demonstrators.
The RJD said it is contesting the upcoming Bankipur Assembly by-election 'with full strength' and is confident of winning.
Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader and Leader of Opposition in the Bihar Assembly, Tejashwi Yadav, on Monday, 27 July condemned the suspension of a police personnel over the alleged firing of an AK-47 rifle during the Bihar Bandh protests in Siwan district on 25 July, calling it a mere 'token gesture' and demanding full accountability from the state government.
What Tejashwi Said
Yadav said the action taken against the suspended officer amounted to little more than optics. 'This is not a major action; it is merely a token gesture. Such large-scale protests have taken place across the country, yet an AK-47 has never been used during any protest before. If they examine the video footage, they will see that the AK-47 was pointed directly at the students. This (suspension) is only a symbolic action. The real question is: on whose orders was this action taken?' he said.
He further questioned the chain of command, asking whether the Superintendent of Police, the Home Ministry, and Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary bore responsibility for the incident. 'By suspending a single officer, they are trying to shield those senior officials who allegedly ordered the firing,' he added.
Allegations Against the Bihar Government
Yadav accused the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government in Bihar of attempting to mislead students in a manner similar to how, he alleged, the Centre handled the farmers' protest. 'Just as they deceived farmers after reaching an agreement during the farmers' protest, they are now trying to deceive students,' he said.
He also pointed to an alleged prior agreement in Delhi that no action would be taken against the students, questioning on what basis force was deployed. Yadav demanded that the Home Ministry clarify how many students had been detained, at which police stations they were being held, and why force was used against them.
Attack on Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary
The RJD leader launched a sharp attack on Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, citing his first 100 days in office. 'Name one significant achievement during this period. Apart from using bulldozers to demolish the homes of the poor, opening fire on students, making irresponsible statements, and behaving like a hooligan, what else has he done?' Yadav said.
He also questioned whether it was appropriate to deploy lethal force against protesters demonstrating over paper leaks and examination scams. 'If paper leaks and scams continue, won't people come out on the streets? Is this democracy?' he asked.
Bankipur By-Election and Political Stakes
Yadav also addressed the upcoming Bankipur Assembly by-election, expressing confidence in the RJD's prospects. 'The Bankipur Assembly by-election is approaching, and we are contesting it with full strength. We are confident of winning,' he said.
The Bihar Bandh incident has added a sharp political dimension to the run-up to the by-election, with the opposition seeking to hold the ruling NDA accountable for the alleged use of excessive force against student demonstrators. The state government is yet to issue a detailed public response to Yadav's questions about the chain of command.
Point of View
But his framing also serves a clear electoral purpose with Bankipur approaching. The Bihar government's silence on the chain-of-command issue is itself telling — in a functioning accountability system, the Home Ministry would have already named the officer who gave the order, not just the one who allegedly pulled it.
NationPress
27 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened during the Bihar Bandh protests in Siwan on 25 July?
During the Bihar Bandh protests in Siwan district on 25 July, a police personnel allegedly fired an AK-47 rifle at or toward student demonstrators. The officer was subsequently suspended, but the incident has drawn sharp political criticism over the use of such a weapon at a civilian protest.
Why did Tejashwi Yadav call the suspension a 'token gesture'?
Tejashwi Yadav argued that suspending one officer shields the senior officials who allegedly ordered the firing. He demanded accountability from the Superintendent of Police, the Home Ministry, and Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, saying the real question is who gave the order.
What is Tejashwi Yadav's allegation about a Delhi agreement?
Yadav claimed that an agreement was reached in Delhi that no action would be taken against student protesters, and questioned on what basis police deployed force against them despite that understanding. He compared this to what he described as the government's handling of the farmers' protest.
Who is Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary and why is he being targeted?
Samrat Choudhary is the Chief Minister of Bihar, backed by the BJP-led NDA. Tejashwi Yadav has targeted him over the police firing, alleged demolition of homes of the poor, and what he described as irresponsible governance in Choudhary's first 100 days in office.
What is the Bankipur Assembly by-election and how does it relate to this controversy?
The Bankipur Assembly by-election is an upcoming electoral contest in Bihar that the RJD says it is contesting with full confidence of winning. The Bihar Bandh police firing controversy has become a key political issue in the run-up to the by-election, with the opposition using it to challenge the NDA government's credibility.
