Why lathis, bullets? Rahul Gandhi meets injured students in Bihar, hears accounts

Rahul Gandhi met injured students and young protesters in Siwan and heard their allegations of police firing during the July 25 bandh protest. The meeting has sharpened the political row over the use of force, the AK-47 video and demands for an independent probe.During his interaction with the injured students, Gandhi listened to their accounts of the events. (Credits: X/Rahul Gandhi)Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi met students and young protesters injured during a demonstration in Bihar’s Siwan district and heard their accounts of the police action during the protest.The interaction, shared on Gandhi’s official YouTube channel, comes amid a political controversy over the use of force during protests linked to demands for transparency in examinations, paper leaks and recruitment-related issues in Bihar. (Credits: X/Rahul Gandhi) During the meeting, several injured students that police personnel opened fire at protesters without provocation and used excessive force to disperse the gathering. Some of the youths showed Gandhi their injuries and recounted what they said happened during the confrontation.The protest was held on July 25 as part of a wider Bihar Bandh called by opposition-backed student groups. Clashes were reported in several parts of the state during the demonstrations. AK-47 FIRING VIDEO SPARKS CONTROVERSYThe controversy intensified after a video surfaced purportedly showing a Bihar Police constable firing an AK-47 during the protest at JP Chowk in Siwan.The footage triggered criticism from opposition parties, which accused the Bihar government and police of using disproportionate force against students. The constable was subsequently suspended, and departmental proceedings were initiated against him. Authorities, however, maintained that the firing took place in the air amid a violent situation. The police response has since become a major point of political contention, with opposition leaders questioning the need for such force during a student protest.INJURED STUDENTS RECOUNT THEIR ACCOUNTSDuring his interaction with the injured youths, Gandhi listened to their accounts of the events and allegations regarding the police response. Some students claimed they were targeted despite not posing an immediate threat to police personnel.The protesters also told Gandhi that the incident had affected their education, career prospects and future. Their accounts centred on allegations of excessive force and the circumstances in which the police opened fire.Gandhi has previously raised concerns over examination irregularities, paper leaks and employment-related issues affecting students and young people in Bihar. He has questioned why students demanding fair opportunities and transparency were met with “lathis and bullets”.POLITICAL ROW INTENSIFIESThe Siwan incident has emerged as a significant political issue, with opposition parties demanding a detailed probe into the police action and accountability for those responsible.The state government and police, meanwhile, have pointed to violence during the bandh, including injuries to police personnel and damage to public property, while defending the broader law-and-order response.The competing claims have intensified demands for an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the firing and the use of force during the protest.Gandhi’s meeting with the injured students is likely to add to the political focus on the incident, as opposition parties continue to question the police response and seek accountability over the use of force against protesters.- EndsPublished By: Ritaban MisraPublished On: Sep 6, 2026 12:49 IST