Defying police threats, intimidation and a massive crackdown by the administration, students and youth poured onto the streets across Bihar as part of the statewide bandh on July 25, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan — a demand fulfilled when he resigned by noon on July 25 — and accountability for the deepening crisis in the education system.
Protests were held across Bihar, including massive marches in Patna, Ara and several other places. In Siwan, police opened fire directly on protesting students, injuring several. Severe police repression was also witnessed in several other districts, including lathi-charge by police in Patna.
Ahead of the July 25 Bihar Bandh called by the student-youth movement, CPI(ML) leaders, AISA activists, democratic voices and students across Bihar faced a massive crackdown. On July 24, CPI(ML) MLA Sandeep Saurav, CPI(ML) Central Committee Member Kumar Parvez, CPI(ML) leader and former JNUSU President Dhananjay, and AISA leaders Dipankar Mishra, Saba Afreen, Naushad and Divyam were arrested. Several other AISA activists and students were also detained, including many who had remained incarcerated since the July 23 Patna rally.
Comrade Kumar Parvez and AISA leader Naushad were released later. However, at the time of filing this report, all other arrested comrades continued to remain lodged in Beur Jail.
CPI(ML) Liberation strongly condemned these large-scale arrests and the use of fabricated cases against leaders and students in an attempt to silence the growing voices of the youth demanding accountability, justice and quality education.
The July 25 Bihar Bandh witnessed a massive response across the state, demonstrating that repression and intimidation could not suppress the movement against examination paper leaks, government inaction and the attack on democratic rights.
From Delhi to Bihar, the message is loud and clear: students and youth will not be intimidated. They will continue to fight for justice, accountability, education and jobs.
