NEET Paper Leak Protest in Patna: Violent confrontations broke out between student protesters and law enforcement personnel in Patna during a demonstration over the NEET paper leak controversy, alleged corruption in the education system, and its increasing commercialization.
Thousands of students, marching under the banner of the All India Students Association (AISA), took to the streets demanding the immediate resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
The protest march, which originated from Gate No. 10 of Gandhi Maidan and was headed toward Raj Bhavan, turned chaotic as security personnel attempted to halt the rally near the JP Golambar and Hotel Maurya barricades.
Escalation at JP Golambar: Water Cannons, Tear Gas, and Baton Charge
NEET Paper Leak Protest in Patna: According to media reports, heavily armed police units had established multi-layered barricades at key intersections, including JP Golambar and Dak Bungla Chauraha, to contain the rally. As the procession reached JP Golambar, officers urged the crowd to retreat, citing security concerns.
However, demonstrators attempted to breach the physical barriers to advance toward Raj Bhavan, leading to intense pushback from the authorities. Media reports indicate that when initial warnings failed to disperse the crowd, law enforcement deployed high-pressure water cannons.
As tension mounted and stone-pelting occurred from among the crowd, police fired multiple tear gas shells and initiated a mild baton charge (lathi-charge) to regain control. The sudden action triggered panic, causing a stampede-like situation that left several individuals injured.
Key Demands Raised by the Protesting Students
According to media reports, the demonstration in Patna was organized in solidarity with ongoing protests at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar and Parliament March against systemic examination failures. The key demands put forward by the student groups include:
Ministerial Resignations: The immediate resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and Bihar Education Minister Mithlesh Tiwari.
Abolition of NTA: Scrapping the National Testing Agency (NTA) in light of recurring paper leaks.
Systemic Reforms: Concrete measures against examination corruption, halting the commercialization of education, and withdrawing fee hikes.
Policy Changes: Scrapping the mandatory 7.5 CGPA criteria, implementing non-NET fellowships, and protecting the autonomy of Patna University.
Speaking to local press, a female student highlighted the growing frustration among youth:
“We are completely exhausted by recurring paper leaks whether it’s NEET, AEDO, or TET. The state and central governments are playing with the futures of millions of candidates. We want Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan to resign immediately, and the NTA must be dismantled.”
Demonstrators emphasized that their protest was intended to be peaceful and voiced strong objections to the forceful police action in both Patna and New Delhi.
Traffic Disruptions and Media Personnel Injured
The high-intensity confrontation near Gandhi Maidan led to widespread urban disruption. According to media reports, major arteries including Exhibition Road and Bakarganj experienced severe traffic congestion lasting nearly two hours, leaving commuters stranded.
The violent scuffles also resulted in injuries among media professionals covering the event. According to media reports:
ABP News correspondent Aryan Anand sustained head injuries.
ABP Digital reporter Paramanand was jostled during the commotion and received minor injuries.
Several other field journalists faced challenging conditions as the situation deteriorated.
Opposition Storms Parliament Over Police Action
The fallout from the student crackdown resonated strongly in the national capital, triggering severe disruptions in Parliament during the third day of the Monsoon Session.
Opposition MPs arrived dressed in black attire to register their protest against the police action on student demonstrators in Delhi and Patna.
Addressing the media and the House:
Samajwadi Party Chief Akhilesh Yadav questioned the authority of Delhi Police regarding their handling of female protesters during earlier demonstrations.
Congress MP K.C. Venugopal reiterated that the opposition’s demand remains firm: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan must step down to ensure accountability.
Government Response and Future Outlook
While security forces managed to clear the JP Golambar area and restore order after roughly two hours, heavy police deployment remains in effect across strategic points in Patna.
Student organizations have signaled that if their demands regarding paper leaks and educational reforms are not met, they will intensify their nationwide agitation in the coming days.
Disclaimer: This article is based on public media reports regarding the Patna NEET protest. Statements quoted reflect the views of the individuals or organizations involved, not this publication. Please refer to official sources for verified updates.