The Bihar government has announced a major decision regarding the student protests over the alleged NEET examination paper leak. The Home Department issued a press release stating that several legal actions initiated against students and protesters would be withdrawn.
The government clarified that no new punitive, retaliatory or other legal action will be taken against anyone involved in the movement in Bihar up to 6 pm on July 26, 2026. The process of withdrawing all FIRs registered in connection with the protest will also be initiated.
The announcement comes amid demands from student organisations for the release of those arrested during the protests.
AISA President Neha Bora meets students in jail
Earlier, AISA national president Neha Bora reached Patna and met arrested student leaders and other protesters lodged in jail.
Neha said that if the students arrested in Bihar were not released, the state would witness a protest similar to the one held at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar.
After meeting students in jail, she alleged that police had abused students on the streets of Bihar and threatened them with encounters. She also alleged that police personnel made comments based on caste and religion.
Neha Bora said that we are giving the government time till tomorrow.
Neha meets student leaders in Beur jail
Neha Bora said she was continuously coordinating with her legal team to secure the release of student leaders.
She said she also met JJD chief Tej Pratap Yadav and Patna University Students’ Union president Shantanu Shekhar at Beur Jail. She added that she was also trying to secure Tej Pratap’s release.
According to Neha, some of the students in jail were not even participating in the protest.
She said one of her associates, Saba Afreen, told her that when police detained her, she was allegedly threatened with an encounter at the spot.
Neha said Shantanu Shekhar told them that police had behaved aggressively when he was detained. He alleged that police asked unnecessary questions about religion and caste and labelled detainees as “terrorists” and “Naxalites.”
However, Neha said officials at Beur Jail assured them that the students would not face any problems and that all necessary assistance would be provided.
‘Students from across country will head to Bihar’
Neha said the alleged crackdown on students would not be forgiven and that the movement would continue until the last student in jail was released.
She warned that Bihar could witness a protest larger than the one at Jantar Mantar.
Neha said the administration had been given time until the following day to provide a written assurance that the detained students would be released. Otherwise, she said, the student groups would decide their next course of action.
She further warned that if students remained in Bihar’s jails, scenes similar to those witnessed in Delhi would be seen in different districts of Bihar.
She said the movement would be more intense than the Jantar Mantar protest and that students from across the country would travel to Bihar.
Statewide protest planned for July 30
Neha also announced that a major protest would be held across Bihar on July 30.
AISA-RYA has called for a statewide day of protest. A road blockade will also be held in the Paliganj Assembly constituency.
The organisations said the movement has not ended completely. They said the agitation would continue until all the FIRs registered in connection with the protests were fully withdrawn.
Since elections are scheduled in Patna on July 30, the protest will be held across Bihar except in Patna. The protest in Patna will be held the following day.
Neha Bora, who became famous from the Jantar Mantar movement in Delhi
Neha Bora during the protest at Jantar Mantar.
Rahul Gandhi had brought Neha forward during the press conference.
355 people produced in court
According to the figures released in connection with the protests:
- 694 people were detained in Bihar.
- 339 minors and students were released after verification.
- 355 people allegedly involved in violence were produced before the court.
- A total of 91 police officers and personnel were injured.
- The Superintendents of Police of Siwan and Sitamarhi, along with two SDPOs, were among those injured in the violent incidents.
- 14 government police vehicles were damaged, while one vehicle was set on fire.
The government’s decision to begin withdrawing the FIRs comes amid continued demands from student groups for the release of those arrested during the agitation.
