Archive · 20 Aug 2026
Tejashwi Yadav protests as Prashant Kishor rises in Bihar
Tejashwi Yadav led a large protest in Patna about how students were treated during demonstrations over an exam paper leak.
He and other RJD leaders wanted officials involved in alleged police excesses to be held responsible.
Police stopped the march, used water cannons and detained Tejashwi for a time.
The RJD also objected to an incident in Siwan where a constable fired an AK-47 into the air during a student protest.
The constable was suspended, and the district police chief was transferred.
RJD leaders said more action was needed.
The BJP said Tejashwi was protesting mainly to rebuild his political career.
The JDU also accused some protesters of mishandling the national flag, although the video cited for that claim was not independently verified.
The protest came as Prashant Kishor gained attention after winning a by-election in Bihar.
Tejashwi Yadav led an RJD protest march in Patna over police action against students demonstrating against the NEET-UG paper leak.
Police used water cannons and detained Tejashwi, along with RJD leaders Sanjay Yadav, Manoj Jha and Misa Bharti.
The RJD demanded accountability for alleged police excesses, including an AK-47 being fired in the air during a Siwan student agitation.
The protest followed Prashant Kishor’s Bankipur by-election victory, which made him the Jan Suraaj Party’s only MLA and a potential Opposition face.
The BJP and JDU accused Tejashwi of trying to revive his political career and raised concerns about protest conduct and national-flag handling.
- Who
- RJD leader and Bihar Opposition leader Tejashwi Yadav led the march; BJP and JDU leaders criticized it, while Prashant Kishor’s political rise formed part of the broader context.
- What
- A protest march demanding accountability for alleged police excesses against student protesters and action over concerns about exam paper leaks.
- When
- On a Wednesday, after student demonstrations the previous month; the related Siwan firing incident occurred on July 25.
- Where
- The march took place in Patna, from Gandhi Maidan toward the Lok Bhavan, with detentions near the Income Tax roundabout.
- Why
- The RJD said it wanted accountability, a transparent examination system and action against officials responsible for alleged police excesses; the march also sought to reassert the party’s political position.
RJD and student concerns
BJP and JDU criticism
Purpose of the march
RJD and student concerns
The RJD said the protest addressed police excesses, student concerns and the need for an honest, transparent examination system.
BJP and JDU criticism
The BJP said Tejashwi was making a desperate attempt to revive his political career.
Accountability for Siwan firing
RJD and student concerns
RJD leaders said suspending the constable and transferring the superintendent of police were insufficient, and demanded action against the district magistrate and SP.
BJP and JDU criticism
The BJP highlighted existing legislation and argued that Tejashwi could have contributed constructively when the bill was passed.
Conduct during the protest
RJD and student concerns
RJD supporters carried the Tricolour and dummy AK-47 rifles to highlight the Siwan incident.
BJP and JDU criticism
The JDU alleged that some participants disrespected the national flag and caused a law-and-order breach; the video supporting the flag allegation was not independently verified.
- Protest organizer
- Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Tejashwi Yadav
- Main demand
- Accountability and stringent action over alleged police excesses against student protesters
- Police action
- Water cannons were used and Tejashwi and several RJD leaders were detained
- Siwan incident
- A constable fired in the air from an AK-47 during a July 25 student agitation; he was suspended
- Administrative action
- Siwan Superintendent of Police Pooran Kumar Jha was transferred
- Exam-leak legislation
- The BJP said Bihar legislation provides for fines of up to ₹1 crore and imprisonment of up to eight years for exam-paper leaks
- Political backdrop
- Prashant Kishor became the Jan Suraaj Party’s lone MLA after winning the Bankipur by-election