Bihar govt backs down, withdraws cases against NEET protestors after CJP stir threat
- Bihar government has agreed to withdraw all cases filed against youth protestors over the NEET paper leak agitation.
- All arrested individuals will be released as part of the agreement reached after CJP and opposition parties threatened fresh protests.
- Assam government has also followed suit, dropping cases and assuring no action against CJP protestors.
- The decision marks a significant victory for student groups and the CJP, which had been demanding action for over a week.
Government U-turn After Week-Long Standoff
The Bihar government has agreed to withdraw all cases registered against protestors who took to the streets over the NEET paper leak, and release everyone arrested in connection with the agitation. The decision comes after the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and opposition parties threatened to launch a fresh wave of protests if the demands were not met.
Sources in the state home department confirmed late Sunday that the cabinet has approved the withdrawal of FIRs lodged under various sections, including those related to unlawful assembly and damage to public property. A formal notification is expected within 24 hours.
Background: How the Protests Snowballed
The agitation began earlier this month after revelations that the NEET-UG 2026 question paper had been leaked in multiple states, including Bihar. Students and their parents demanded a CBI investigation and strict action against the culprits. When the state government initially appeared to drag its feet, the CJP called for a statewide bandh and gherao of government offices.
As the protests escalated, police arrested over 200 students and youth activists across Patna, Gaya, and Muzaffarpur. The opposition accused the Nitish Kumar-led government of using heavy-handed tactics to suppress dissent. The CJP, backed by the RJD, Congress, and Left parties, set a 48-hour deadline for the government to drop all cases or face a massive rally at Gandhi Maidan.
Why This Climbdown Matters
The government's retreat is significant on multiple fronts. First, it is a clear admission that the arrests were politically untenable. The CJP and opposition successfully turned the issue into a test of the government's commitment to student rights and fair investigation.
Second, the move undercuts the ruling coalition's narrative that the protests were orchestrated by 'anti-social elements'. By agreeing to withdraw cases without any precondition, the government has effectively validated the protestors' core demand that the agitation was legitimate.
Third, the decision sets a precedent. In Assam, the state government has already dropped similar cases and assured no action against CJP protestors. Other states where NEET paper leak protests occurred may face similar pressure to follow suit.
Political Fallout and What Comes Next
For Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, the climbdown is a blow to his image as a tough administrator. The opposition has already begun calling it a 'humiliating retreat' and a sign that his government is 'rudderless'. The CJP, on the other hand, has emerged as a formidable force capable of mobilising youth across party lines.
The CJP has called off its planned rally but warned that it will resume agitation if the government fails to ensure a thorough CBI investigation into the paper leak. The state government has promised to recommend a CBI probe but is yet to issue a formal order.
With Parliament set to debate a bill on paper leaks today, the issue remains politically charged. The Bihar government's decision may provide some relief, but the underlying demand for systemic reform in examination security remains unresolved.
The coming days will reveal whether the government follows through on its promise of withdrawal and release, and whether the CBI probe materialises. For now, the students and their families have won a significant, if partial, victory.