Priyanka Gandhi slams Bihar AK-47 use: 'Are students terrorists?'
Synopsis
Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's 'Are they terrorists?' charge outside Parliament cuts to the heart of a widening controversy: a Bihar police constable caught on video firing an AK-47 at student protesters has been suspended, a 15-year-old is recovering from a bullet wound, and the Centre is yet to explain who authorised the use of military-grade weaponry against a civilian bandh.
Key Takeaways
Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra condemned the alleged use of an AK-47 against student protesters during the Bihar Bandh on 25 July .
A Bihar Police constable was suspended after a viral video purportedly showed him firing an AK-47 during clashes in Siwan district .
Venugopal demanded the Centre explain who ordered the use of the weapon in Bihar and pellets in Delhi.
Arif , struck in the neck by a bullet while returning home, is recovering after surgery at Jayprabha Medanta Hospital, Patna .
A departmental inquiry has been initiated; findings will determine further disciplinary or legal action.
Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Monday, 27 July sharply criticised the BJP-led Centre over the alleged deployment of an AK-47 rifle against student protesters during the Bihar Bandh on 25 July, demanding accountability over what she called an alarming escalation in the use of force against young demonstrators.
What Priyanka Gandhi Said
Speaking to reporters outside Parliament in New Delhi, Gandhi said, 'First guns, now AK-47s, pellet guns! Are they terrorists? What's wrong with these people? They (BJP) have again registered FIRs against students in Bihar and Bengal. They have not given up their old habits.'
She also raised concerns about alleged intimidation of families, saying, 'I have heard, though I have not verified it, that the parents of several girls are being threatened and questioned about why they allowed their daughters to participate in the protest. What does this mean? Can't girls in India take part in protests?'
Congress Leaders Unite in Condemnation
Congress MP K.C. Venugopal echoed the criticism, saying, 'An AK-47 was used. Are these people terrorists? Are the students and youths terrorists?' He demanded that the Centre explain who authorised the use of an AK-47 in Bihar and pellets during protests in Delhi.
What Happened in Bihar's Siwan District
A video purportedly showing a police constable firing an AK-47 during clashes with protesters in Siwan district on 25 July went viral on social media, triggering a swift response from the Bihar Police Headquarters. The constable was suspended on the Headquarters' directions after the footage drew widespread attention.
The Bihar Bandh saw large-scale demonstrations by student organisations across several districts, with clashes reported between protesters and police at multiple locations. The situation in Siwan turned violent, leading to the use of force to disperse the crowd.
Injured Protester's Condition
Three protesters injured during the unrest are currently undergoing treatment at Jayprabha Medanta Hospital in Patna, and their condition is reported to be stable. Among them is 15-year-old Md. Arif, who, according to his family, works at a local shop. Relatives said he was returning home after closing the shop during the bandh when he was struck in the neck by a bullet. Doctors successfully removed the bullet during surgery, and his condition is now reported to be stable.
Inquiry Underway, Action Pending
Bihar Police officials stated that maintaining law and order is the force's primary responsibility and that any violation of established procedures is taken seriously. A detailed departmental inquiry has been initiated, and further disciplinary or legal action will be determined based on its findings. Authorities have not yet released the inquiry's conclusions, and it remains to be established whether the use of the firearm complied with police protocols.
Point of View
But it sidesteps the harder question: how does a police unit deployed at a student protest come to use an AK-47 — a weapon associated with counter-insurgency, not crowd control? Bihar Police's silence on the chain of command that authorised the weapon is conspicuous. Priyanka Gandhi's remarks land in a well-established pattern — pellet guns in Kashmir, lathicharges on JNU campuses, FIRs against student leaders — where the political cost of restraint is apparently judged lower than the cost of escalation. The real accountability test is not the constable's suspension but whether the inquiry names who gave the order.
NationPress
27 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Priyanka Gandhi say about the Bihar AK-47 incident?
Speaking outside Parliament on 27 July, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra questioned the use of an AK-47 against student protesters, saying 'First guns, now AK-47s, pellet guns! Are they terrorists?' She also alleged that parents of girl protesters were being threatened, though she said she had not independently verified that claim.
What happened during the Bihar Bandh on 25 July in Siwan?
During the Bihar Bandh on 25 July, clashes broke out between student protesters and police in Siwan district. A video purportedly showing a police constable firing an AK-47 went viral, prompting Bihar Police Headquarters to order the constable's suspension. Three protesters were injured during the unrest.
Who is Md. Arif and what happened to him?
Md. Arif is a 15-year-old who, according to his family, works at a local shop in Siwan. His relatives say he was returning home after closing the shop during the bandh when he was struck in the neck by a bullet. Doctors at Jayprabha Medanta Hospital in Patna successfully removed the bullet, and his condition is reported to be stable.
What action has Bihar Police taken over the viral AK-47 video?
Bihar Police Headquarters took serious note of the viral footage and ordered the suspension of the constable allegedly shown firing the AK-47. A departmental inquiry has been initiated, and further disciplinary or legal action will depend on its findings.
What has the Congress demanded from the Centre over the Bihar incident?
Congress MP K.C. Venugopal demanded that the Centre explain who ordered the use of an AK-47 in Bihar and pellet guns during protests in Delhi, questioning whether students and youth could be treated as terrorists. The party has also flagged the filing of FIRs against students in Bihar and West Bengal.
