Bihar Bandh clashes in Siwan: lathi-charge, stone-pelting, firing claims
Synopsis
A student march in Siwan during the Bihar Bandh turned violent on 25 July, with lathi-charges, stone-pelting, and unverified allegations — including from RJD's Tejashwi Yadav — that police fired AK-47 rifles at protesters. With one arrest over a social media post and the administration denying the firing claims, the truth of what happened at Gandhi Maidan remains disputed and politically charged.
Key Takeaways
Violent clashes erupted in Siwan on 25 July during the statewide Bihar Bandh called by student organisations.
Police used a lathi-charge after stones were allegedly thrown by protesters, injuring several police personnel.
An injured youth claimed a bullet injury ; allegations of police firing remain unverified and officially unconfirmed.
RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav alleged on X that police used AK-47 rifles against students and demanded action against officials.
One person was arrested over an allegedly objectionable social media post; the administration urged the public to avoid rumours.
The bandh was called over alleged examination paper leaks and education reform demands, with violence reported at multiple Bihar locations.
Violent clashes broke out in Siwan on Saturday, 25 July as a student-led demonstration during the statewide Bihar Bandh spiralled into confrontations between protesters and police, involving a lathi-charge, stone-pelting, and unverified allegations of police firing. The unrest is part of a wider shutdown called by student organisations over alleged examination paper leaks and demands for education reforms.
How the Violence Unfolded
A large contingent of students assembled in Siwan and marched toward Gandhi Maidan as part of the bandh. Police had been deployed in anticipation of the protest. An altercation between demonstrators and law enforcement quickly deteriorated, with officials stating that personnel used mild force after stones were allegedly hurled from within the crowd, injuring several police personnel.
As the confrontation intensified, stone-pelting increased, triggering panic in the surrounding area. Shops along the protest route downed their shutters as tensions mounted.
Disputed Firing Allegations
Amid the chaos, some residents alleged that police had opened fire. An injured youth claimed he had sustained a bullet injury. However, these claims had not been independently verified at the time of reporting, and authorities had not officially confirmed the alleged firing or the circumstances of the injury.
Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) National Working President Tejashwi Yadav shared a video on social media platform X, alleging that police had fired directly at students. He further claimed that AK-47 rifles were used during the action and demanded strict accountability from the officials concerned. The claims remain contested and unverified by independent sources.
Administration's Response
The district administration appealed for calm, urging residents to refrain from spreading rumours or misinformation. Officials confirmed they were monitoring misleading content circulating on social media and stated that one individual had been arrested in connection with an allegedly objectionable post.
Broader Context of the Bihar Bandh
The protests in Siwan were one flashpoint in a statewide shutdown that saw demonstrations across multiple districts of Bihar. Student organisations called the bandh primarily over alleged examination paper leaks and related education reform demands. The political temperature rose further after Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation added a new dimension to the crisis, though demonstrations continued irrespective of that development. Several other locations in Bihar also witnessed violent confrontations between protesters and law enforcement during the day.
With conflicting accounts from protesters and police yet to be reconciled, and the administration maintaining a heavy presence, the situation in Siwan remained closely watched as the day progressed.
Point of View
With both sides trading allegations that are impossible to verify in real time. What is notable here is the political velocity: Tejashwi Yadav's AK-47 claim on X, however contested, will dominate the news cycle regardless of what ground truth emerges. The administration's arrest of a social media user, rather than a credible inquiry into the firing allegations, risks reinforcing a perception that the state's first instinct is narrative control, not accountability. With the Education Minister's resignation already roiling national politics, Bihar's student unrest is no longer a local law-and-order story — it is a pressure point in a larger political reckoning.
NationPress
25 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What triggered the clashes in Siwan during the Bihar Bandh?
Students marching toward Gandhi Maidan in Siwan as part of the Bihar Bandh on 25 July clashed with police after an altercation broke out. Police stated they used force after stones were allegedly thrown from within the crowd, injuring several personnel.
Were police accused of firing on protesters in Siwan?
Yes, some residents and an injured youth alleged that police opened fire, with the youth claiming a bullet injury. However, these claims were not independently verified and authorities had not officially confirmed any firing at the time of reporting.
What did Tejashwi Yadav say about the Siwan clashes?
RJD National Working President Tejashwi Yadav shared a video on X alleging that police fired directly at students and that AK-47 rifles were used. He demanded strict action against the officials involved. The claims remain unverified.
Why was the Bihar Bandh called?
Student organisations called the Bihar Bandh primarily to protest alleged examination paper leaks and to press demands for education reforms. The shutdown saw demonstrations and, in several locations, violent confrontations with police across Bihar.
What action did the district administration take after the Siwan violence?
The district administration appealed for calm and urged residents not to spread rumours or misinformation. Officials confirmed they were monitoring misleading social media content and that one person had been arrested in connection with an allegedly objectionable post.
