Admissions – Bihar Student Protest Over University Vacancies Reaches Patna Chief Minister’s Residence
Admissions -Student groups intensified their campaign in Bihar on Tuesday as hundreds gathered in Patna to press for changes in the state’s higher education system and demand urgent action on long-pending academic and administrative issues.
Student demonstrations gathered momentum in Patna on Tuesday when members of several Left-affiliated student organisations marched through the city demanding immediate action on a five-point charter. Their primary concern was the large number of vacant teaching positions in state universities, which they said had affected academic standards and disrupted higher education. The rally, organised under the banner of the Chhatra Yuva Sangharsh Morcha, aimed to reach the residence of Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary before police intervened.
Police Stop March Near Key City Junction
The march began from Ramghulam Chowk and moved towards the Chief Minister’s residence. Anticipating the demonstration, authorities had deployed a large police force across strategic locations. Officers initially attempted to halt the procession near Gate No. 12 of Gandhi Maidan. As the protesters continued, barricades were placed at Dakbungalow Crossing to prevent them from moving ahead.
The situation turned tense when participants attempted to cross the barricades, resulting in brief confrontations with security personnel. Police later used water cannons to disperse the gathering after some demonstrators tried to move past the restricted area. Several protesters were detained during the operation, while senior police officials, including the Senior SSP, SPs, DSPs and local station officers, supervised security arrangements at the site.
Demonstrators Raise Multiple Demands
Apart from seeking immediate recruitment of university teachers, the protesters opposed the proposed repeal of the University Act of 1976. They argued that any reforms affecting Bihar’s higher education framework should be carried out only after safeguarding the interests of students, faculty members and educational institutions.
The student groups maintained that prolonged vacancies in universities had weakened academic functioning and delayed educational activities. According to the organisers, filling vacant teaching posts should be treated as a priority to improve the quality of higher education across the state.
Concerns Over Earlier Student Protests
Another significant issue highlighted during the demonstration was the alleged use of force by police during recent protests linked to the NEET paper leak controversy. Protesters claimed that students participating in demonstrations in districts such as Siwan and Jehanabad had faced excessive police action.
One female participant alleged that force had been used against peaceful protesters and called for a high-level investigation into the incidents. Demonstrators demanded that any officer found responsible for misconduct should face appropriate action, regardless of rank or position.
Call for Investigation and Accountability
The protesting students also sought compensation for individuals who they claimed were affected during the anti-NEET leak demonstrations. They alleged that several students connected with the movement continued to face harassment following the protests.
In addition, the groups demanded an impartial review of the role played by senior police officers, including officials at the SP and DSP levels, wherever allegations had been raised. They insisted that accountability should be determined only after a transparent inquiry and that appropriate action should follow if wrongdoing is established.
Despite the confrontation, the demonstration remained focused on presenting the students’ demands regarding university recruitment, higher education reforms and accountability over previous protest-related incidents. Authorities maintained security across the affected areas while monitoring the situation as the protest concluded.