Bihar Assembly: Heated exchanges over student agitation on final day of monsoon session

Patna: The final day of the Bihar Legislative Assembly’s Monsoon Session witnessed stormy scenes as the issue of the recent student agitation dominated the proceedings.

The opposition accused the government of using excessive force against students, while the ruling alliance countered by condemning the alleged attacks on MLAs and journalists during the protests, leading to a prolonged verbal confrontation inside the House.

As soon as the House assembled, senior Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) MLA Alok Mehta raised the issue, alleging that students protesting the previous day had faced police action, including the use of force, arrests, and even firing.

He demanded that the government make a statement explaining the circumstances surrounding the incidents.

While presenting his arguments, Mehta’s remarks drew strong objections from members of the treasury benches, resulting in noisy exchanges.

Amid the uproar, he accused the ruling party of attempting to silence students and remarked that those opposing his statements were anti-student.

The RJD leader alleged that students exercising their democratic right to protest were being subjected to intimidation and police action, both in Bihar and elsewhere.

He argued that instead of responding with force, the government should engage with students and address their concerns through dialogue.

The opposition’s allegations were strongly contested by ruling alliance legislators, who accused the opposition of presenting a distorted version of events.

Ruling party MLA Raju Tiwari urged the Speaker to consider bringing a censure motion before the House over the alleged attacks on MLAs, journalists, and others during the protests.

He argued that violence against public representatives and members of the media could not be justified under any democratic system.

According to Tiwari, several legislators and journalists were targeted during the demonstrations, and such incidents warranted unequivocal condemnation by the Assembly.

Members of the ruling alliance also questioned the character of the agitation, arguing that the incidents should not be viewed solely as a student protest.

They alleged that certain political groups had used students as a front to pursue political objectives and claimed that anti-social elements had infiltrated the demonstrations, leading to violence and disruption.

The ruling party demanded an impartial investigation into the entire episode to determine responsibility.

Opposition legislators continued to press the government for an explanation regarding the alleged police action against students.

They maintained that the confrontation could have been avoided had the government engaged with the students and addressed their grievances in a timely manner.

The sharp exchanges and slogan-shouting by members from both sides disrupted the proceedings for some time before normal business could resume.

The recent student protests have emerged as one of the most contentious political issues in Bihar, with the debate extending from the streets to the floor of the Legislative Assembly.

IANS