Patna: In a major relief to protesters, the Bihar government on Monday announced that it will not take any punitive or retaliatory action against individuals who participated in demonstrations over the alleged NEET-UG examination irregularities before 6 pm on July 26.
In a press release, the state Home Department said it would immediately initiate the legal process to withdraw all First Information Reports (FIRs), criminal complaints and show-cause notices registered before the stipulated deadline.
The government said all FIRs, criminal complaints and show-cause notices filed against protesters before 6 pm on July 26 would be withdrawn in accordance with the law. It also announced that those arrested or detained in connection with cases registered before the deadline would be released immediately.
The Home Department further assured that no direct or indirect legal or administrative action would be taken in the future against individuals for incidents related to the protests that occurred before the cut-off time.
The announcement comes after days of statewide protests over alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG examination and demands for reforms in the higher education system.
Violence erupted in Siwan on Sunday as demonstrators demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan clashed with police. Security personnel resorted to tear gas and a lathi charge to disperse protesters.
Siwan Superintendent of Police Puran Kumar Jha said on Monday that disciplinary action had been initiated against police personnel seen firing an AK-47 rifle during the clashes.
During the statewide shutdown called by opposition parties and social organisations, protesters in Patna allegedly vandalised and overturned police vehicles, prompting heavy deployment of security forces in several districts.
Reacting to the developments, Congress MP and Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi accused the Narendra Modi-led government of using excessive force against students.
“The entire system is downright murderous against students. News is coming in that AK-47 bullets have been fired at protesting students in Bihar, and hundreds of students have been arrested with FIRs being filed against them,” Gandhi said in a post on X.
Questioning the Prime Minister’s earlier assurances regarding student protesters, Gandhi wrote, “Mr Modi, where did your promise go that no FIRs would be filed against students and they would be released? Instead, deadly attacks and brutality are being unleashed on them. Whether it’s Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Bihar, or Delhi—the pattern is the same everywhere… Real reform is beyond their capability.”
The Bihar government’s decision follows similar announcements by other states after the agitation over the alleged NEET-UG examination irregularities, with authorities moving to withdraw cases against protesters and release those arrested as part of efforts to de-escalate the situation.
