Patna police lathi-charge students in NEET protest march to Raj Bhavan
Synopsis
Thousands of students in Patna breached police barricades and pushed through water cannons, tear gas, and a lathi-charge on 22 July to march towards Raj Bhavan — the most visible sign yet that the NEET paper leak controversy has moved from parliament to the streets, with 7,000 demonstrators converging at Dakbungalow Crossing and demands for the Education Minister's head growing louder.
Key Takeaways
Police deployed water cannons , tear gas , and a lathi-charge against student protesters in Patna on 22 July .
An estimated 7,000 students gathered at Dakbungalow Crossing after breaching barricades at JP Golambar .
Protesters demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and action on the NEET paper leak .
The escort vehicle of an Inspector General of Police was allegedly attacked; vehicles with BJP insignia were also reportedly targeted.
CRPF and BSF personnel were called in to reinforce local police.
No official statement on injuries or arrests had been issued immediately after the confrontation.
Police in Patna used water cannons, tear gas, and a lathi-charge on Wednesday, 22 July to disperse thousands of students marching towards Raj Bhavan, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and accountability over the NEET examination paper leak. The confrontation, one of the most intense student-police clashes in Bihar in recent months, unfolded across two flashpoints in the heart of the city.
How the Confrontation Unfolded
The march began around 10:30 am when students set off from Gandhi Maidan towards Raj Bhavan. By 11 am, security forces had erected barricades at JP Golambar, halting the procession and asking demonstrators to disperse peacefully. When protesters attempted to push past the barricades, police deployed water cannons and tear gas shells. As the crowd continued to advance, a lathi-charge was carried out.
Despite the force, the students held their ground. After nearly 20 minutes of sustained confrontation, protesters breached the barricades at JP Golambar and moved towards Dakbungalow Crossing, where an estimated 7,000 students eventually gathered. Police established a fresh security cordon at that location, with senior officials reviewing the situation and additional forces deployed.
Property Damage and Security Escalation
The unrest extended beyond the standoff. The escort vehicle of an Inspector General (IG) of Police was allegedly attacked and damaged during the chaos, according to authorities. Some vehicles displaying the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) insignia were also reportedly targeted. A BJP MLA passing through Dakbungalow Crossing was confronted by protesters and had to leave the area. Personnel from the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and the Border Security Force (BSF) were called in to reinforce local police.
What Students Are Demanding
Protesters raised a broad set of demands centred on examination integrity and institutional accountability. These included the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, concrete action on the NEET paper leak and other examination irregularities, resolution of issues related to the TRE-4 recruitment process, and structural reforms to the National Testing Agency (NTA).
Student protester Rashi Kumari said the demonstration was being held against paper leaks, including the NEET examination, and to seek clarity on the TRE-4 notification. She accused the NDA government of ignoring students' concerns. Another protester, Nusrat Parveen, a student of Patna University, referenced the parallel student movement at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, and called for greater sensitivity towards students affected by examination-related stress.
Situation and Official Response
The situation remained tense for several hours as police and administrative officials monitored developments and appealed for calm. As of the immediate aftermath of the confrontation, no official statement on injuries or arrests had been released. This comes amid a nationwide wave of student agitation over the NEET paper leak controversy, which has already triggered parliamentary debate and calls for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry.
Point of View
And risks inflaming sentiment further. What is striking is the geographic spread: with protests simultaneously at Jantar Mantar and now Raj Bhavan in Patna, this is no longer a Delhi-centric story. Bihar's student population — among the largest and most exam-dependent in the country — has made the political cost unmistakably local for the NDA, which governs both at the Centre and in the state.
NationPress
22 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did students protest in Patna on 22 July?
Students marched towards Raj Bhavan in Patna on 22 July to demand the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and accountability over the NEET examination paper leak. They also sought resolution of TRE-4 recruitment issues and reforms to the National Testing Agency (NTA).
What force did police use against the protesters?
Police used water cannons, tear gas shells, and a lathi-charge after demonstrators attempted to push past barricades erected at JP Golambar. Additional CRPF and BSF personnel were deployed to support local police.
How many students were involved in the Patna protest?
An estimated 7,000 students gathered at Dakbungalow Crossing after breaching police barricades at JP Golambar. The march had begun from Gandhi Maidan at around 10:30 am.
Were there any arrests or injuries reported?
No official statement on injuries or arrests had been released immediately following the confrontation, according to reports. Authorities did confirm that the escort vehicle of an Inspector General of Police was allegedly attacked and damaged.
What is the NEET paper leak controversy?
The NEET paper leak refers to the alleged leaking of question papers for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test, India's primary medical college entrance examination. The controversy has triggered nationwide student protests, parliamentary debate, and demands for NTA reforms and a CBI inquiry.
