Bihar bandh: Left-wing students hit the streets, security tightened

Autorickshaws parked in rows during Bihar ‘bandh’ called by AISA and other student organisations in the State, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET paper leak issue, in Patna, on July 25, 2026. | Photo Credit: PTI Members of left-wing student organisations took to the streets in several districts of Bihar on Saturday (July 25, 2026) in support of the statewide bandh against NEET paper leak and police action on protesting students.Security has been tightened with heavy police deployment in Patna, Siwan, Jehanabad, Sheikhpura, Rohtas and other places.There was not much impact of the bandh on normal life in Patna, police said.Flag march has been initiated by police in several areas, including Patna's Paliganj locality, as a precautionary measure.Administration has ordered private schools in Patna to remain closed during the band.Protesters carrying banners of All India Students Association (AISA) and Revolutionary Youth Association (RYA) blocked the Samastipur-Patna main road by burning tyres and raised slogans against the government.They also demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.In Bihar's Siwan district, AISA, RYA and other left-wing organisations staged protests at JP Chowk.Former MLA and CPI(ML) leader Amarjeet Kushwaha, who was present during the protest, said, "Protest has been under way at Delhi's Jantar Mantar for the last 26 days. Students also came out on the streets of Patna on Wednesday. However, both in Delhi and in Patna, they faced brutal police action. Even women and girls were not spared."He alleged that the government has adopted a dictatorial approach towards handling protests. Published - July 25, 2026 01:12 pm IST