Release them or else...: Tejashwi's warning to Bihar CM over student crackdown
Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader and Leader of the Opposition Tejashwi Yadav on Sunday launched a sharp attack on Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary over
Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader and Leader of the Opposition Tejashwi Yadav on Sunday launched a sharp attack on Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary over the police action against students during the Bihar bandh, calling him a "street thug" and accusing his government of crushing democratic protests. Returning to Bihar after spending 24 days abroad, Tejashwi alleged that students protesting over the alleged NEET paper leak and examination irregularities were subjected to excessive police force. He claimed that police resorted to lathi-charges in Patna and several other districts, while a large number of students were arrested and sent to jail.
"The Chief Minister himself has a criminal mindset and is turning the police into goons," Tejashwi alleged, accusing the Bihar government of protecting criminals and fostering corruption. 'WILL LAUNCH STATEWIDE AGITATION' The RJD leader also issued an ultimatum to the state government, demanding that all FIRs registered against student protesters be withdrawn and those arrested during the demonstrations be released by Monday. "If all cases against students are not withdrawn and those arrested are not released by tomorrow, we will launch a statewide agitation," he warned. Tejashwi also referred to the arrest of his elder brother, Jan Shakti Janata Dal (JSJD) chief Tej Pratap Yadav, along with several MLAs in connection with the Bihar bandh protests.
He alleged that stringent charges had been invoked against opposition leaders as part of what he described as a politically motivated crackdown. Calling the police action an example of "dictatorship", Tejashwi said the government's actions would neither intimidate the opposition nor deter students from raising their voice. "This dictatorship will not continue. Bihar's situation will improve only when this government is removed," he said. The Bihar bandh was organised by several groups to demand a fair investigation into the alleged NEET paper leak and strict action against those responsible for examination irregularities.
The protests witnessed road and rail blockades across several districts, while clashes between demonstrators and police were reported from multiple locations. The Bihar government has not yet responded to Tejashwi Yadav's allegations or his ultimatum. Ends With inputs from Shubham Nirala Published By: Ritaban Misra Published On: Jul 26, 2026 17:02 IST
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