Tejashwi Yadav warns of ‘major protest’ if FIRs against demonstrators not withdrawn in Bihar

New Delhi: Bihar Leader of Opposition (LoP) and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) MLA Tejashwi Yadav on Sunday warned Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary-led NDA government of “major protests” if cases lodged against NEET paper leak protestors aren’t withdrawn.

His remark comes a day after the Centre agreed to withdraw all police cases filed against protesting students and provide written confirmation of the FIR withdrawals, following the third round of talks with the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), that has been spearheading the pan-India agitation.

The CJP called off the agitation on Saturday following the resignation of former Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and after the government agreed to the outfit’s remaining demands.

Speakers to reporters in Patna, Tejashwi Yadav said: “The students who protested against the paper leak issue have fought a battle for their better future. The opposition parties have supported them… We have also joined this struggle in support of their cause.”

“The big question that arises is that yesterday an agreement was reached in Delhi that cases lodged against protesters across the states where this movement took place, will be withdrawn. Thousands of people have been booked,” he added.

He alleged that despite the promise by the Centre to withdraw FIRs against protesters, they are being “forcefully detained” in Bihar.

“The way, the government and the police took action in almost every district, scores of students have been detained every district of the state. Several of our MLAs were also detained and so has been my elder brother Tej Pratap Yadav,” he added.

The Bihar LoP also said: “When it was decided yesterday that the cases would be withdrawn, how is this being handled separately in Bihar? We do not want to make just an appeal; we want to warn the government that if, by tomorrow, all cases against those who have been jailed — the hundreds and thousands of students who are the future of Bihar and the country — are not withdrawn and they are not released, then we will launch a major protest.”

Tejashwi Yadav also alleged that the police took action in an improper manner in various districts of the state.

“AK-47 was used to fire on students yesterday,” he claimed.

Adding to his criticism of the BJP-led government in Bihar, the RJD leader alleged that there have been paper leaks in various examinations under the ruling NDA government.

“Whether it is constable recruitment, BPSC, NEET, or any other examination. Large-scale irregularities and scams have taken place, and question papers have been leaked. Therefore, until and unless we unite to pull down this current government, this issue (of paper leaks) won’t stop. Criminals and corrupt people are the ones calling the shots in this government,” Tejashwi Yadav said.

IANS