Bankipur bypoll: Tejashwi Yadav promises pension for jailed student protesters
Synopsis
Tejashwi Yadav used the final day of Bankipur bypoll campaigning to make a pointed promise: pensions for students jailed or hurt in recent protests, explicitly modelled on JP Movement benefits. The pledge — paired with a call for a judicial probe into alleged AK-47 use — signals that student unrest is now a live electoral flashpoint in Bihar.
Key Takeaways
Tejashwi Yadav promised pensions for students jailed or injured during recent protests if the RJD forms the government in Bihar .
The pledge was made on 28 July , the final day of campaigning for the Bankipur Assembly by-election .
Yadav compared the proposed benefit to existing pensions for participants of the JP Movement .
He called for an independent judicial inquiry into the alleged use of an AK-47 during the student protests.
Yadav claimed the government withdrew FIRs against protesters only under public pressure, not voluntarily.
He alleged that PM Modi cancelled a planned Bihar campaign visit after sensing public dissatisfaction with the BJP .
Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader and Leader of Opposition in the Bihar Assembly, Tejashwi Yadav, on 28 July promised pensions for students who were jailed or injured during recent protests, should his party come to power in the state. The announcement was made on the final day of campaigning for the Bankipur Assembly by-election in Patna.
The Pension Promise
Addressing the media ahead of a roadshow in support of RJD candidate Rekha Gupta, Yadav drew a direct parallel with the pension scheme extended to participants of the JP Movement. He said an RJD-led government would extend comparable benefits to those who bore the brunt of the recent student agitation.
'Just as the government provides pensions to those who participated in the JP movement, our government will provide pensions to students who were jailed or injured during the student protests,' Yadav said.
FIR Withdrawal and AK-47 Controversy
Yadav acknowledged that the government had withdrawn the First Information Reports (FIRs) registered against protesters, but argued this was done only after sustained public pressure — not out of genuine intent. He also called for an independent judicial probe into the alleged use of an AK-47 during the crackdown on protesters.
'A judicial inquiry must be conducted into the incident in which AK-47s were used to stop the protesters,' he said. The allegation remains contested, and no independent investigation has been announced by the state government as of the time of reporting.
Campaign Confidence and BJP Criticism
Yadav expressed confidence that the RJD would win the Bankipur seat, citing what he described as 'tremendous anger' against the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) among voters. He claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had originally planned to campaign in Bihar for the by-election but cancelled the visit after gauging public dissatisfaction with the ruling party — a claim that could not be independently verified.
'We are among the people, and there is tremendous anger against the BJP. We are confident of winning the election. Our workers are fully engaged, and we are continuously receiving the people's support,' Yadav said.
What Happens Next
Campaigning for the Bankipur Assembly by-election concluded on Tuesday at 5 pm, with all parties making their final appeals to voters. Polling is scheduled to follow shortly. The result of this by-election is being watched as a bellwether for the broader political mood in Bihar, particularly on the question of student discontent and opposition mobilisation ahead of the next state assembly election.
Point of View
But the JP beneficiaries were recognised through a formal state process; there is no equivalent framework yet for defining who qualifies under the recent protests. More significantly, the demand for a judicial probe into alleged AK-47 use, if left uninvestigated, could either become a powerful rallying narrative for the opposition or fade without traction — the outcome depends entirely on whether the Bankipur result gives RJD the momentum to sustain it.
NationPress
28 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Tejashwi Yadav promise at the Bankipur bypoll campaign?
Tejashwi Yadav promised that an RJD-led government in Bihar would provide pensions to students who were jailed or injured during recent protests. He drew a direct comparison with the pension scheme for participants of the JP Movement.
What is the Bankipur Assembly by-election?
The Bankipur Assembly by-election is a constituency-level election in Patna, Bihar, held to fill a vacant seat in the Bihar Legislative Assembly. Campaigning concluded on Tuesday at 5 pm, with polling scheduled to follow.
Why did Tejashwi Yadav demand a judicial inquiry?
Yadav called for an independent judicial investigation into the alleged use of an AK-47 to disperse student protesters. He argued the matter has not been adequately addressed by the state government and requires independent scrutiny.
What did Tejashwi Yadav say about the FIRs against student protesters?
Yadav claimed the Bihar government withdrew FIRs registered against student protesters only after facing sustained public pressure, and not as a genuine gesture of support for the agitation.
Who is the RJD candidate in the Bankipur by-election?
The RJD fielded Rekha Gupta as its candidate in the Bankipur Assembly by-election. Tejashwi Yadav led a roadshow in her support on the final day of campaigning on 28 July.
