Tej Pratap Yadav Arrested Following Violent Protests During Bihar Bandh Over NEET Paper Leak

In a significant political development, Tej Pratap Yadav, the chief of Janshakti Janata Dal (JJD) and a former Bihar minister, has been arrested by the Patna police. The arrest followed his active participation in the 'Bihar Bandh' organized on Saturday to protest against the NEET paper leak controversy. Yadav was initially taken into custody from the Central Mall in Patna and was later formally arrested at the Naubatpur police station after an intensive round of questioning that lasted late into the night.

Violence and Vandalism During Protests

The situation escalated at the location where Tej Pratap Yadav was present, specifically near the Central Mall. Reports indicate that this area witnessed the highest level of chaos and property damage during the bandh. Protesters reportedly engaged in heavy vandalism, and in a major security breach, two police vehicles were overturned by the agitated crowd. While Yadav was participating in the demonstration at Ramgulam Chowk earlier in the day, his presence at the site of the violence led to his detention and subsequent arrest. The police have not yet released an official statement regarding the specific charges, but the focus remains on the unrest that unfolded during the protest.

Support for Students and Political Stance

During the demonstration, Tej Pratap Yadav expressed his unwavering support for the student community affected by the NEET paper leak. He was quoted saying, "We're standing shoulder to shoulder with the students. " His involvement in the protest was seen as a major boost to the statewide shutdown called by various student organizations. Yadav, who formed the Janshakti Janata Dal after being expelled from his father Lalu Prasad Yadav's party, the RJD, has been positioning himself as a vocal critic of the current administration.

Statewide Impact of the Bihar Bandh

The Bihar Bandh, supported by Left-wing student organizations, had a mixed impact across the state, while while Patna saw significant incidents of stone-pelting and clashes between protesters and security forces, other districts like Nalanda, Nawada, Jehanabad, and Rohtas reported minimal disruption. Authorities confirmed that the strike was a reaction to both the NEET paper leak and the subsequent police action against protesting students in previous days. In several districts, members of Left student wings were seen clashing with the police as they tried to enforce the shutdown.

Appeal to Cockroach Janata Party and Political Strategy

In a strategic political move, Tej Pratap Yadav used social media to appeal to Abhijeet Dipke, the founder of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP). Yadav urged Dipke to visit Bihar and assist in a movement to remove the BJP-led government headed by Samrat Choudhary. This appeal came shortly after the CJP concluded its own protest in Delhi at Jantar Mantar, where they demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET issue. Yadav emphasized the need for a powerful mass movement to topple the current state government, citing the deteriorating political and educational climate. A viral video also surfaced showing Dipke expressing his intention to travel to Patna, following large-scale student protests in the city earlier this week in support of the CJP's movement.