Tejashwi Yadav targets Bihar govt over Siwan student police action
Synopsis
Tejashwi Yadav is escalating the Siwan student-police confrontation beyond street politics — demanding to know who authorised the alleged use of AK-47 rifles on protesting students, calling in Rahul Gandhi and Akhilesh Yadav, and heading to the Governor. What began as a local exam-irregularity protest is now a full-blown political crisis for the Bihar government.
Key Takeaways
Tejashwi Yadav announced plans to meet the Bihar Governor to demand an impartial probe into the Siwan student police action on 11 August .
Yadav questioned the reported use of AK-47 rifles and demanded accountability be fixed at the senior official level, including the Home Department .
He invited Rahul Gandhi and SP chief Akhilesh Yadav to visit Bihar and meet allegedly injured students.
Yadav also raised pending salaries of Sanskrit, Urdu and Persian teachers and dues owed to sanitation workers and pensioners.
The Siwan protests were originally triggered by alleged examination irregularities and paper leaks .
Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav on 11 August sharply criticised the Bihar government over the police action against students protesting alleged examination irregularities and paper leaks in Siwan, announcing he would meet the Governor to demand accountability and an impartial investigation into the incident.
Key Developments
Yadav said he had already met the Director General of Police (DGP) and conveyed his concerns but had not received a satisfactory explanation regarding the alleged firing on protesting students. He stated he would now escalate the matter to the Governor, presenting all available details and pressing for a credible inquiry.
The RJD leader also urged Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav to visit Bihar and meet students who were allegedly injured during the police action. He said opposition parties were collectively raising the issue and would continue to press for answers.
Questions Over Use of Force
Yadav questioned who authorised the alleged opening of fire on the students, specifically raising concerns over the reported use of AK-47 rifles. He argued that fixing responsibility on a single constable would be insufficient and demanded that accountability be established at the appropriate level, including among senior officials associated with the Home Department.
'The identity and responsibility of the officials who ordered the action must be established,' Yadav said, adding that the police action could not be dismissed as routine law-enforcement. He alleged that the students were deliberately targeted.
Broader Grievances Against the Bihar Government
Beyond the Siwan incident, Yadav also raised the issue of pending salaries of Sanskrit, Urdu and Persian teachers, outstanding payments to sanitation workers, and delayed pensions and employee dues. He alleged that whenever questions concerning employee rights are raised, the government cites financial constraints and an empty treasury.
Yadav demanded that the government clear all pending payments, particularly ahead of the festive season, and ensure that employees and beneficiaries receive their dues on time.
What Happens Next
With Yadav set to meet the Governor, political pressure on the Bihar government over the Siwan episode is expected to intensify. The opposition has framed the incident as symptomatic of broader governance failures in the state, connecting it to unresolved examination irregularities and alleged paper leaks that first triggered the student protests.
Point of View
A harder target for the government to deflect. The invitation to Rahul Gandhi signals that the RJD intends to federalise the issue, drawing national opposition attention to a state where the NDA holds power. Crucially, the parallel grievances over unpaid teacher salaries and sanitation worker dues suggest this is not an isolated protest but a pattern of governance strain the Bihar government has yet to address credibly.
NationPress
12 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened during the Siwan police action against students?
Students in Siwan, Bihar, were protesting alleged examination irregularities and paper leaks when police action was taken against them. Tejashwi Yadav has alleged that the students were fired upon, reportedly involving AK-47 rifles, and has demanded an impartial investigation into the circumstances and authorisation of the use of force.
Why is Tejashwi Yadav meeting the Bihar Governor?
Tejashwi Yadav is meeting the Governor to formally present details of the Siwan incident and demand accountability, after stating that his meeting with the DGP did not yield a satisfactory explanation. He seeks to fix responsibility at the senior official level, including within the Home Department.
Who has Tejashwi Yadav invited to Bihar over the Siwan issue?
Yadav has invited Lok Sabha Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav to visit Bihar and meet students allegedly injured during the police action, framing the issue as a collective opposition concern.
What other issues did Tejashwi Yadav raise against the Bihar government?
Apart from the Siwan incident, Yadav raised the pending salaries of Sanskrit, Urdu and Persian teachers, outstanding payments to sanitation workers, and delayed pensions and employee dues. He alleged the government routinely cites financial constraints when employee rights are questioned.
What triggered the student protests in Siwan?
The protests in Siwan were triggered by alleged examination irregularities and paper leaks, a recurring issue in Bihar that has drawn sustained student agitation. The police action against these protesters has since escalated into a broader political confrontation.
