BJP Government Under Fire for 'Weaponizing' Police in Bihar Student Protests

Bihar Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday accused the BJP-led government in the state of weaponizing the police to evade accountability in the ongoing student protests over recruitment examinations and government jobs.

Students and job aspirants in Bihar have been protesting at Gardanibagh since last week, demanding a fourth Teacher Recruitment Examination (TRE-4), including a single-stage PT-mains examination, removal of negative marking, and 100% domicile-based recruitment. For related coverage, explore our detailed analysis on Technology and Digital Systems.

Fresh Protests Erupt Over Recruitment Exams

According to Gandhi, the students in Bihar have a very straightforward question: “Why are there irregularities in recruitment exams? Why no action on allegations of paper leaks? And how long will this tampering with the future of the youth continue?” he stated in a post on X.

The controversy over BPSC (Bihar Public Service Commission) exams is not new, as students have been protesting for a long time over the recruitment process, exam pattern, delays, and transparency. However, instead of addressing their demands, the government has resorted to using batons and water cannons to disperse protesters.

Gandhi stated that even in Siwan, there was firing on protesters with an AK-47, which has sparked widespread outrage. This is not just a question of police action; it's a question of the mindset of the BJP government, which has no answers and is turning the police into a weapon to evade accountability.

Police Action Sparks Outrage

Gandhi emphasized that the students will keep asking questions and demanding accountability. They want not just answers but also an explanation for the government's actions.

Fresh tensions had broken out in Patna on Tuesday as hundreds of protesters marched from Gandhi Maidan towards Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary’s residence, breaking through barricades and clashing with security personnel at Dak Bungalow Chowk.

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Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday hit out at the BJP-led government in Bihar over the student protests in the state, and accused the government of weaponising the law enforcement personnel to evade accountability. Students and job aspirants in Bihar are protesting at Gardanibagh over recruitment examinations and government jobs.

The protesters’ demands include a proposed fourth Teacher Recruitment Examination (TRE-4), including a single-stage PT-mains examination, removal of negative marking, and 100% domicile-based recruitment. Gandhi stated the students in Bihar have a very straightforward question: “Why are there irregularities in recruitment exams? Why no action on allegations of paper leaks?

And how long will this tampering with the future of the youth continue?” he stated in a post on X. Read | Dispute, domicile, and ‘dog’: What’s behind fresh student protests in Bihar “The controversy over BPSC (Bihar Public Service Commission) exams is not of today.

Students have been on the streets for a long time over the recruitment process, exam pattern, delays, and transparency. But instead of answering (them), what is the government doing? It’s wielding batons and water cannons.

It’s taking students into custody,” Gandhi stated. In Siwan, there was even firing on protesters with an AK-47, he stated. Read | ‘Hathi chale bazaar…’: BPSC controller’s remark amid Bihar teachers’ protests sparks row “This is not just a question of law enforcement personnel action; this is a question of the mindset of the BJP government, which has no answers.

That is why it is turning the law enforcement personnel into a weapon to evade accountability,” Gandhi added, in a post on X in Hindi. “You can't snatch away someone's future The students of Bihar will keep asking questions. And now, it's not just answers they want; they demand accountability,” Gandhi stated.

Fresh tensions had broken out in Patna on Tuesday (August 25) as hundreds of protesters marched from Gandhi Maidan towards Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary’s residence, breaking through barricades and clashing with security personnel at Dak Bungalow Chowk.