Police stop RJD supporters during a protest march towards the Lok Bhawan against the “dictatorial attitude” of the state government and over the alleged firing of an AK-47 rifle against student protesters in Siwan district last month, in Patna, on August 19, 2026.
| Photo Credit: PTI
Protesting Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leaders, including party chief Lalu Rasad Yadav’s elder daughter and party MP Misa Bharti, and leader of Opposition in State Assembly Tejashwi Yadav were detained by Patna police on Wednesday (August 19, 2026) while taking part in a protest march to the Lok Bhawan.
The party and its supporters are protesting police action against students agitating against NEET question paper leaks in Bihar last month.
As police rounded up the protesters in buses, the RJD leaders shouted slogans: “Jo Gen-Z ki baat karega, wohi desh mein Raj karega [those who will talk about, think about Gen Z, rule over the country]”
The party leaders and their supporters had first assembled at J.P. Golumbar, near Gandhi Maidan to set off the march. Few RJD workers were seen carrying toy guns (replicas of AK-47) to condemn the July 25, 2026 firing incident in which police used sophisticated weapon on protesting students in Siwan district.
A police constable was suspended after a video purportedly showing him using an AK-47 rifle during a student protest in Bihar’s Siwan district on July 25 against an NEET exam paper leak went viral on social media.
Police officers had said no one was injured in the firing, and an inquiry has been initiated as there were clear instructions to the police force not to open fire during the demonstration.
Meanwhile, the protesting leaders faced water cannons as they attempted to break barricades at the Income Tax chouraha (thoroughfare).
“We had assembled to go to Lok Bhawan but police stopped us at I-T chouraha but we are not afraid going to jail “ RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, who is also leader of Opposition in State Assembly, said. The Police then proceeded to take Mr. Yadav into custody transferred him onto a bus, along with other party leaders and workers.
RJD MP Manoj Jha, who participated in the foot march, said students and youth across the country, particularly in Bihar, were angry over recurring paper leaks and unemployment.
RJD MLA Bhai Virendra said the rallyists are scheduled to submit a memorandum to the governor at the Lok Bhavan.
Reacting to the party’s march, BJP State president Sanjay Saraogi claimed that it was a rally to “save the career” of Tejashwi Yadav.
“He failed as a student, cricketer and politician. Now, he is trying to play politics around an issue that the Bihar government has already resolved,” Mr. Saraogi asserted.
(With inputs from agencies)
This is a developing story
Published – August 19, 2026 01:38 pm IST