Patna, Bihar – Police in Patna, Bihar, deployed water cannons and subsequently detained former Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav and several other Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leaders on Monday, May 13, 2024. The incident occurred as RJD functionaries and workers marched towards Raj Bhavan, the official residence of the Governor of Bihar, to protest against alleged widespread paper leaks in competitive examinations and the prevailing job crisis in the state.

The demonstration, organized by the RJD, aimed to draw attention to concerns regarding the integrity of recruitment processes and the high rates of unemployment impacting the youth of Bihar. Party leaders asserted that multiple instances of question paper leaks have compromised the fairness of various state-level examinations, undermining the aspirations of thousands of job seekers. This march was part of a larger campaign by the opposition party to highlight these issues and demand accountability from the state government.

The march commenced from the RJD's party office in Patna, with hundreds of party workers joining the procession. As the demonstrators approached designated barricades set up by law enforcement agencies near the Raj Bhavan area, they were halted. Despite police warnings, protesters reportedly attempted to breach the barricades, leading to a confrontation. Police then utilized water cannons to disperse the crowd, attempting to prevent further advancement towards the high-security zone.

Following the deployment of water cannons, several key RJD figures, including Tejashwi Yadav, were taken into custody. Yadav, a prominent opposition leader in Bihar, was leading the protest and had been vocal about the issues of paper leaks and job creation. His detention, along with other senior party members, marked a significant escalation in the political standoff between the opposition and the ruling coalition in Bihar.

Key aspects of the protest and detention include:

  • Protest Catalyst: Allegations of question paper leaks in various state competitive examinations, including those for teacher recruitment and other government posts.
  • Economic Grievance: Broader concerns about the lack of employment opportunities and the slow pace of job creation within the state.
  • Police Action: Use of water cannons as a crowd control measure, followed by the detention of leaders for attempting to proceed past barricades.
  • Political Implications: The detention of a former Deputy Chief Minister underscores heightened political tensions in Bihar, with the RJD vowing to continue its agitation.

RJD officials stated that the detentions would not deter their efforts to hold the government accountable for the alleged failures in addressing unemployment and ensuring transparent examination processes. Following their detention, Tejashwi Yadav and other leaders were reportedly taken to a local police station. They reiterated their commitment to advocating for the youth of Bihar and demanding concrete actions from the administration.

The incident highlights the ongoing political discourse in Bihar surrounding governance, employment, and examination reforms. The RJD has indicated that it plans to intensify its protests in the coming weeks if its demands regarding investigation into paper leaks and comprehensive job creation policies are not addressed by the state government. The administration has yet to issue a detailed statement regarding the specific allegations of paper leaks or the handling of the protest, beyond standard police procedures for managing demonstrations.