Bihar Police fire tear gas shells, lathi-charge protesting students demanding Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation
Bihar Police used tear gas and baton charges against student protesters in Patna who were demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over NEET exam irregularities. The incident caused a walkout by opposition members in the state legislative council.
Why it matters
The ongoing NEET paper leak controversy is causing significant political instability and public unrest across India.
The Bihar Police on Wednesday (July 22, 2026) fired tear gas shells, used water cannons and baton-charged to thwart a ‘Lok Bhavan march’ of student leaders in Patna, who were demanding Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation over the NEET paper leak.
The protesters had gathered under the banner of the All India Students’ Association (AISA), an affiliate of the CPI(ML) Liberation, and they faced the police action near Gandhi Maidan, about three km away from the Governor’s residence.
CPI(ML) Liberation MLA Sandeep Sourav, who is a former AISA national general secretary, was leading the procession.
Police personnel use tear gas shells to disperse All India Students’ Association activists during a ‘Lok Bhavan March’ over an alleged NEET paper leak in Patna, Bihar, on July 22, 2026. | Photo Credit: PTI
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