Bihar Assembly Disrupted Over Student Protests on NEET Paper Leak

The Bihar Assembly witnessed a heated exchange between ruling and opposition members on the final day of the Monsoon session, leading to a brief adjournment. The disruption occurred after Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) legislator Alok Mehta sought a discussion on student protests that have erupted across the state over the NEET paper leak.

Mr. Mehta alleged that several students were injured in lathi charges and that police fired shots in Jehanabad district on Thursday, calling for a debate on what he termed as repression of legitimate demands. The protests, initially concentrated in the state capital, have spread to multiple districts following a stir by the Cockroach Janta Party in Delhi, which has drawn support from opposition leaders like Rahul Gandhi, Akhilesh Yadav, and Arvind Kejriwal.

However, Raju Tiwari of the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), led by Union Minister Chirag Paswan, interrupted Mr. Mehta, asserting that miscreants were causing havoc under the guise of students and demanding a censure motion. This sparked a confrontation, with members from both sides rushing to the well of the House. Speaker Prem Kumar repeatedly urged lawmakers to return to their seats, but the disorder persisted, forcing him to adjourn the House until noon.

The incident highlights the escalating political tension over the NEET paper leak, which has become a major issue for opposition parties accusing the government of mishandling the situation. The monsoon session, which concluded on Friday, saw repeated disruptions over the matter.