Tejashwi Yadav threatens mass agitation over Bihar student arrests, sets Monday deadline
Synopsis
Tejashwi Yadav has set a Monday deadline for the Bihar government to release detained students and drop cases from the 25 July protests — or face a statewide mass agitation. The flashpoint: a viral video of an AK-47 allegedly fired at protesters in Siwan, an incident that has already cost one police officer his job and handed the Opposition its sharpest political charge in months.
Key Takeaways
Tejashwi Yadav issued an ultimatum to the Bihar NDA government on 27 July to release detained students and withdraw criminal cases by Monday .
Students were detained during protests on 25 July linked to alleged NEET paper leaks and a Bihar Bandh .
A viral video from Siwan allegedly showed an AK-47 being fired at protesters; the police personnel involved has been suspended and an inquiry ordered.
Tejashwi claimed an understanding on withdrawing cases had already been reached in Delhi , which the Bihar government has allegedly not honoured.
The Bihar government had not publicly responded to the warning as of reporting time.
Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader and Leader of the Opposition Tejashwi Yadav on 27 July issued a sharp ultimatum to the Bihar government, demanding the immediate release of students detained during the 25 July protests and the withdrawal of all criminal cases registered against them. He warned that the Opposition would launch a statewide mass agitation if the demands were not met by Monday.
What Tejashwi Said
In a post on social media platform X, Tejashwi Yadav alleged that the government had abandoned democratic norms in its handling of the student protests. “Discarding all democratic traditions, AK-47s were used to fire at protesting students for the first time in the country,” he wrote.
He further alleged that, despite an understanding having been reached with student representatives, thousands of students across Bihar were being detained, criminal cases were being registered against them, and their families were being harassed. “If the students are not released, the NDA government will have to pay a heavy political price,” he said.
The Siwan AK-47 Incident
Tejashwi’s remarks come in the wake of a controversy in Siwan, where a viral video purportedly showed an AK-47 being fired during clashes that erupted amid a Bihar Bandh called over alleged NEET paper leaks. Authorities subsequently suspended the police personnel seen in the video and initiated a formal inquiry into the incident. The use of an assault rifle against protesters has drawn widespread criticism and given the Opposition fresh political ammunition.
Claims of a Delhi Understanding
Returning to Patna on Sunday after several days away, Tejashwi spoke to reporters at the airport and claimed that an understanding had already been reached in Delhi regarding the students’ demands, including the withdrawal of cases filed during the agitation. He alleged that, despite this, students continued to be arrested and sent to jail in Bihar, calling the government’s conduct a betrayal of that agreement.
Government Yet to Respond
The Bihar government had not publicly responded to Tejashwi Yadav’s latest warning as of the time of reporting. Investigations into incidents of violence and police action during the protests are reportedly ongoing. The standoff between the Opposition and the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in Bihar is expected to intensify ahead of the Monday deadline, with the student movement over NEET irregularities showing no signs of abating.
Point of View
If substantiated, would represent a serious breakdown in political management. The NEET protests are not a Bihar-specific phenomenon; they are a national student grievance that has found a local flashpoint. A prolonged crackdown risks consolidating a diffuse movement into a durable anti-NDA sentiment among young voters in a state where youth unemployment is already a live electoral nerve.
NationPress
27 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are students protesting in Bihar?
Students in Bihar have been protesting over alleged irregularities in the NEET medical entrance examination, including claims of paper leaks. The demonstrations escalated into a Bihar Bandh on 25 July , during which police action led to detentions and the registration of criminal cases against protesters.
What is Tejashwi Yadav demanding from the Bihar government?
Tejashwi Yadav is demanding the immediate release of all students detained during the 25 July protests and the withdrawal of all criminal cases registered against them. He has set a Monday deadline, warning of a statewide mass agitation if the demands are not met.
What happened in Siwan during the protests?
A viral video purportedly showed a police personnel firing an AK-47 during clashes in Siwan amid the Bihar Bandh. The officer has since been suspended and authorities have initiated a formal inquiry into the incident.
Has the Bihar government responded to Tejashwi Yadav’s ultimatum?
As of the time of reporting, the Bihar government had not publicly responded to Tejashwi Yadav’s latest warning or addressed his claims about a prior understanding reached in Delhi.
What is the significance of the alleged Delhi understanding?
Tejashwi Yadav has claimed that an agreement was reached in Delhi to withdraw cases filed against students during the agitation. He alleges that the Bihar government has not honoured this understanding, continuing to arrest and jail students despite the supposed accord.
