NEET Protest Fury Grips Patna: Hundreds Booked as Authorities Clamp Down on Violent Demonstrations

The air in Patna has been thick with tension lately, a palpable sense of outrage simmering just beneath the surface. It all began with widespread allegations surrounding a paper leak for the highly anticipated NEET-UG 2026 medical entrance examination. You could really feel the frustration building, a collective anger among students and their supporters who felt their futures were being jeopardized by systemic flaws.

What started as demonstrations, however, quickly spiraled into something far more volatile. On Wednesday, July 22, 2026, protests erupted across Patna and several other districts in Bihar, including Katihar, Darbhanga, and Begusarai. These weren't just peaceful rallies, mind you. Barricades? They were simply pushed aside. There was stone-pelting, outright vandalism, and incredibly, attacks on security personnel, the public, and even members of the media. Reports poured in from various hotspots – Gandhi Maidan, the Income Tax Roundabout, Dakbungalow Crossing, and areas near the BJP Bihar headquarters – all detailing scenes of utter chaos.

The authorities, it must be said, didn't hold back. By Thursday, July 23, the police response escalated dramatically. Water cannons and tear gas became common sights, and baton charges were employed in some areas to disperse the unruly crowds. Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Kartikeya K Sharma, alongside Additional Director General (Law and Order) K Suhita Anupam, made it unequivocally clear: such acts of violence would not be tolerated. In a serious turn, even vehicles belonging to the Patna IG's escort, the city magistrate, and several BJP MLAs – including Rohit Pandey, Vinay Bihari, and Ajay Singh – were damaged or, in one shocking instance, torched.

The legal repercussions have been swift and extensive. Across Patna alone, a staggering 20 First Information Reports (FIRs) have been lodged, primarily at the Kotwali, Gandhi Maidan, and Sachivalaya police stations. These FIRs name 268 individuals, but perhaps more tellingly, they also target an astounding 2,500 to 3,000 unidentified persons. Just imagine, over 2,700 individuals are now named across Bihar in connection with these disturbances, with more than 600 unidentified protesters booked for various acts of vandalism. It's a massive dragnet, plain and simple.

So far, 56 individuals have found themselves behind bars, with more than 40 arrests made in Patna alone. Among those detained was Sushant Shekhar, the president of the Patna University Students' Union (PUSU), signaling that no one perceived as an instigator would be spared. It wasn't just police property or public infrastructure; even politicians' vehicles bore the brunt of the mob's fury, with City Magistrate Sanjay Kumar's escort vehicle torched and those of MLAs Rohit Pandey and Vinay Bihari smashed.

But how are they tracking everyone down, you might wonder? The police are leaving no stone unturned, employing a multi-pronged approach to identify the perpetrators. They're meticulously sifting through a mountain of evidence: CCTV footage from public and private establishments, drone recordings that capture the larger picture, smartphone videos from the scene, and even clips circulating wildly on social media. This isn't just about physical evidence; the Cyber Crime and Security Unit (CCSU) is heavily involved, analyzing nearly 100 additional videos and even investigating YouTubers and social media content creators for potential conspiracy. Already, 177 suspects have been identified through this digital detective work, and that number is expected to climb.

The scale of these protests and the subsequent unrest has clearly shaken things up at the highest levels. In a clear signal of the seriousness of the situation, the Director General of Police for Bihar took the extraordinary step of canceling all police personnel leave across the entire state from July 24 until further orders, citing the need for special law and order arrangements. And let's not forget the political demands: many protesters, backed by organizations like the All India Progressive Women's Association (AIPWA), are still vociferously calling for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, holding him accountable for the alleged paper leak.

As the dust begins to settle, one thing is abundantly clear: the authorities are determined to restore order and hold those accountable who engaged in violence and vandalism. The sheer number of FIRs and arrests paints a grim picture for those who thought they could operate with impunity. This crackdown serves as a stark reminder of the serious consequences awaiting anyone who resorts to unlawful means, even in the face of legitimate grievances.