Tejashwi Yadav detained during protest over police action during NEET stir in Bihar

Bihar Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav was detained on Wednesday during the RJD's march to Raj Bhavan in Patna, held to protest the police action against students during last month's demonstrations over the NEET paper leak in the state.Yadav, who was leading the march along with RJD leaders and workers, was taken away in a police vehicle near the Income Tax office, officials said. Patna SSP Kartikeya K Sharma confirmed that the RJD leader had been detained. However, after an hour, Tejashwi Yadav was released from detention and got out of the vehicle near the RJD office, where the march came to a halt.VIDEO | Patna: RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav detained during RJD's Lok Bhavan march, says, "Samrat Choudhary is doing this. He is doing injustice to students and committing scam after scam. He is using AK-47s against those raising their voices against wrongdoing. Those demanding pic.twitter.com/q3K24YNGU1— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) August 19, 2026The protesters had begun the march from JP Golambar and were headed towards Lok Bhavan to submit a memorandum to the Governor over the alleged use of an AK-47 by now-suspended police constable Abhishek Kumar against student protesters in Siwan on July 25. As the march was going on, police used water cannons to curb the movement of protesters.While being taken into the police van, Yadav accused Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary of "doing injustice to students" and alleged that the government was using AK-47s against those protesting against wrongdoing. "Those demanding justice are being treated in this manner," he said. "The government is pushing the future of students into darkness. Exam papers are getting leaked frequently," Yadav said while being taken into a police van.Speaking after his detention, Yadav accused the BJP government of being afraid of a peaceful protest. "We were carrying out a peaceful march with the Tricolour on the issue of the students," he said, adding that the government was "playing with the students' future" amid repeated paper leaks and unemployment.MISA BHARTI ALSO JOINS MARCH, GETS DETAINED Tejashwi's sister and RJD MP Misa Bharti, who also joined the march, was also detained. She said her party raised issues of paper leaks, unemployment and problems faced by students and youth in Bihar."We have heard that the Bihar government in the Supreme Court has admitted that the AK-47 was used against students. The Bihar government should have been asked by the court who permitted the use of AK-47 in a protest," Bharti told ANI.The Raj Bhavan march was called by RJD chief Lalu Yadav, who had urged party workers and Mahagathbandhan allies to march to Lok Bhavan on August 19 against what he described as the state government's "dictatorial attitude" over the Siwan incident.The RJD has demanded action over the alleged firing of an AK-47 by constable Kumar during student protests in Siwan. A video showing the constable firing the rifle went viral on social media following the July 25 demonstrations.Kumar was subsequently suspended, while the Bihar government transferred the Superintendents of Police of Siwan and Bhojpur districts amid the controversy. Siwan SP Puran Kumar Jha, under whose command the AK-47 rifle was allegedly used, was placed on the waiting list for a new posting.Police had said no one was injured in the firing and an inquiry was launched, noting that personnel had been instructed not to open fire during the demonstration.RJD leaders and supporters were also seen carrying dummy AK-47s during the march, highlighting the RJD's demand for action over the alleged use of the weapon against students in Siwan.The July 25 protests were held in support of a Bihar bandh called by Left-wing student organisations against the NEET paper leak and police action against protesters. Demonstrations and clashes with police were reported in several districts, including Patna, Saran, Siwan, Aurangabad, Bhagalpur, Sitamarhi, Purnia and Bhojpur.JD(U) AND BJP SLAM RJDAhead of the RJD's march, JD(U) spokesperson Neeraj Kumar warned Yadav that, as its leader, he would have to take responsibility for the protest and any violation of public order or damage to property.The RJD, however, maintained that Wednesday's march was peaceful and focused on student issues.The BJP hit back at the RJD over the march. BJP leader Mrityunjay Tiwari questioned what Yadav would achieve by marching to Lok Bhavan and accused him of being absent from Bihar when students and youth needed him."When students and youth needed him, Tejashwi Yadav was travelling abroad instead of being on the streets in Bihar," Tiwari told ANI, adding that the state government was committed to creating employment opportunities and the development of students and youth.He warned that if protesters created a disturbance, "the law will take its course".- Ends(with inputs from ANI)Published By: Prateek ChakrabortyPublished On: Aug 19, 2026 13:55 IST