Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leaders and workers on Wednesday staged a march towards Raj Bhavan in Patna, protesting against alleged examination paper leaks, rising unemployment and concerns over issues affecting students and young people in Bihar.
The march was led by Bihar Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav, along with RJD MP Misa Bharti and other party leaders. Police stopped the protesters near Lok Bhavan and used water cannons to disperse the crowd before detaining Tejashwi Yadav and Misa Bharti.
The protest followed allegations by opposition leaders that police used an AK-47 during a student demonstration in Siwan over examination irregularities.
The Bihar government and police have faced criticism from the opposition, while RJD leaders have demanded accountability and action over alleged failures in the examination system.
The protest comes amid wider concerns among students regarding paper leaks, recruitment delays and unemployment, issues that continue to affect thousands of job aspirants across Bihar.
RJD Raises Youth Concerns
The protest began from JP Golambar in Patna, with RJD workers marching towards Raj Bhavan to submit their concerns regarding what the party described as the “collapse” of Bihar’s examination system and worsening unemployment among young people.
Tejashwi Yadav, addressing party workers during the march, accused the Bihar government of failing to protect the interests of students and job seekers. He alleged that repeated paper leaks had damaged the credibility of competitive examinations and left young people uncertain about their future.
“This government, which uses AK-47, students are going to throw it away. They are playing with the students’ future, paper leaks are happening, Bihar is becoming the centre of unemployment, paper leaks,” Yadav said during the protest.
The RJD leader linked the demonstration to broader concerns over recruitment examinations, claiming that students who spend years preparing for government jobs are facing repeated setbacks due to alleged irregularities.
RJD MP Manoj Jha said the protest represented growing frustration among students and unemployed youth across the country, particularly in Bihar.
“Students and youth across the country, especially in Bihar, are angry. Paper leaks have become a pattern. Young people can no longer bear the burden of unemployment. They do not want rhetoric; they want solutions,” Jha said.
The party maintained that the march was not only about a single incident but about restoring trust in examination and recruitment systems.
Police Action And Siwan Incident
The immediate trigger behind the protest was an incident in Siwan, Bihar, where student protesters had gathered over alleged examination irregularities and paper leak concerns. Opposition leaders alleged that police personnel used an AK-47 rifle while dealing with the protesters, leading to political criticism against the state government.
RJD MLA Bhai Virendra accused authorities of using excessive force against students demanding justice. “AKs were used against students who came out on the streets to fight for their rights and protest against the paper leak issue. There have been paper leaks across the country. Action should be taken, and until action is taken, our movement will continue,” he said.
The allegations intensified political debate in Bihar, with the RJD demanding an explanation from the government over the police response.
During Wednesday’s march, police deployed barricades to stop protesters from reaching Lok Bhavan. As demonstrators attempted to move forward, security personnel used water cannons to disperse them. Following the action, Tejashwi Yadav, Misa Bharti and several other party leaders were detained.
The police action became another point of criticism for the opposition, which accused the government of attempting to suppress voices raised by students and young people.
Bihar’s Growing Examination Concerns
The RJD’s protest comes against the backdrop of repeated debates around examination security, recruitment transparency and unemployment in Bihar.
For years, government job examinations have remained a major issue for young people in the state, where thousands of aspirants depend on competitive exams for employment opportunities. Allegations of paper leaks, delays in recruitment processes and cancellations of examinations have often led to protests by students.
The recent demonstrations also come amid wider national concerns regarding examination irregularities, including the controversy surrounding alleged NEET paper leaks. Student groups and opposition parties have repeatedly demanded stronger mechanisms to prevent malpractice and ensure fairness for candidates.
The Bihar government has faced pressure to address these concerns and maintain confidence among students preparing for competitive examinations. While opposition parties have accused authorities of failing to prevent irregularities, officials have maintained that action is taken whenever violations are reported.
The Union government had earlier introduced the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, aimed at preventing cheating and organised malpractice in recruitment and entrance examinations. The law provides stricter punishment for those involved in organised cheating networks.
However, opposition parties argue that stronger implementation and accountability are needed to prevent future incidents.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
The concerns raised by students and young job aspirants deserve serious attention from all stakeholders. Competitive examinations are not merely tests; for millions of young people, they represent years of hard work, financial sacrifice and hopes for a stable future. Any allegation of unfair practices or irregularities can deeply affect public trust in these systems.
At the same time, political disagreements over student issues must not overshadow the need for peaceful dialogue and meaningful solutions. Protests are an important part of democracy, but they must remain peaceful, and responses from authorities should always prioritise restraint, accountability and respect for citizens’ rights.
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