Patna: Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) National Working President and Bihar Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav was released from the Secretariat police station after being detained during the party’s Raj Bhavan march in Patna on Wednesday.
Speaking to the media after his release, Tejashwi said the RJD’s agitation would continue until the Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary accepted responsibility for the situation and strict action was taken against those responsible.
He said the RJD would continue fighting for justice for students, accountability in the Siwan firing case and resolution of unemployment-related concerns.
He accused the Bihar government and administration of attempting to suppress the voice of young people, asserting that the RJD would continue raising students’ issues both on the streets and inside the Bihar Assembly.
The march had been organised primarily over the alleged use of an AK-47 during student protests in Siwan, along with concerns over examination irregularities, unemployment and recruitment.
The police Constable accused of firing the weapon was suspended, while Siwan Superintendent of Police Puran Kumar Jha was transferred on August 18.
During Wednesday’s march, protesters crossed barricades at Dakbungalow Crossing before being stopped near the Income Tax Roundabout.
Police used water cannons and detained several protesters, including Tejashwi Yadav.
Some demonstrators carried dummy AK-47s as symbolic representations of their allegations.
RJD MP Manoj Jha said the march was intended to convey students’ concerns to the Governor, particularly regarding examination transparency and alleged police action against protesting students.
Meanwhile, Bihar BJP President Sanjay Saraogi dismissed the agitation as a political exercise, alleging that Tejashwi Yadav was attempting to revive his political fortunes.
He said that the Bihar government had already taken steps to address paper leaks, including legislation providing for penalties of up to Rs 1 crore and imprisonment of up to eight years for offences related to paper leaks.
The confrontation and subsequent detention have further escalated the political dispute between the RJD and the Bihar government over student protests, examination reforms, unemployment and police accountability.
(IANS)
