Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader and Bihar Leader of the Opposition Tejashwi Yadav on 22 August announced his party's full support for the student agitation scheduled for 25 August in Patna, including the planned march to Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's residence. Tejashwi stopped short of confirming his personal participation, saying he would communicate his decision at the appropriate time.

Support for Student Agitation

Students have been protesting at Gardanibagh in Patna over a range of grievances, and Tejashwi alleged that the Bihar government was failing to acknowledge their concerns. He urged the state administration to open dialogue with the protesters, arguing that their problems could not be resolved without direct engagement. 'The government should hold discussions with the protesting students,' he said, stressing that ignoring student voices was not a tenable position.

Bihar's Financial Health Under Fire

Tejashwi broadened his attack to include what he described as a deepening fiscal crisis in Bihar. He alleged that the state's expenditure was consistently exceeding its income, forcing heavy reliance on borrowing. He further claimed that every resident of Bihar now carries an average debt burden of approximately ₹27,000, attributing the figure to the state's mounting loans. He warned that the government could eventually face difficulty in paying employees' salaries and pensions if the trend continued.

Student Credit Card Scheme Reduction

On the reported reduction in the loan limit under the Bihar Student Credit Card Scheme — from ₹4 lakh to ₹2 lakh — Tejashwi alleged the cut reflected the government's deteriorating financial position. He noted that the scheme was originally introduced under the Saat Nischay programme during the Mahagathbandhan government's tenure and argued that scaling it back amounted to an abdication of commitment to students.

Law-and-Order and Corruption Allegations

Tejashwi also questioned the Bihar government over reported incidents involving pellet guns and AK-47 firing in the state, demanding to know who had authorised the use of force against civilians. He alleged widespread corruption in the administration, raised concerns about irregularities in extending contractual employees' tenures, and questioned broader aspects of the state government's functioning. On rising sugar prices, he criticised the Centre and warned that inflationary pressures could intensify further.

What Happens Next

With the 25 August student march to the Chief Minister's residence drawing formal RJD backing, the agitation is set to gain political weight. Whether Tejashwi personally joins the march — and how the Bihar government responds to the escalating pressure — will shape the next phase of this standoff between students and the state administration.