Staff Reporter | Patna
The Bihar Government has announced that it will not take any punitive or retaliatory action against those who participated in protests over the alleged NEET-UG examination irregularities before 6 p.m. on July 26, and has promised to begin the process of withdrawing criminal cases filed against them.
In a press release issued by the Home Department on July 27, the government said no adverse legal action would be taken against individuals who took part in the protests before the specified deadline. It also stated that the legal process for withdrawing all existing FIRs, criminal complaints and show-cause notices registered against protesters before 6 p.m. on July 26 would be initiated immediately.
The government further assured that all persons arrested or detained in connection with cases registered before the deadline would be released without delay. It also said that no direct or indirect action would be taken against these individuals in the future in relation to those cases.
The statement was issued by Kshatranil Singh, IPS, Special Secretary, Home Department, and follows days of negotiations between representatives of the protesting students and government officials.
Background
The announcement comes after weeks of nationwide protests led by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) and student organisations demanding accountability over alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG examination and broader reforms in the examination system.
The agitation, which included a 36-day sit-in at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, ended after multiple rounds of talks with the Centre. Among the key assurances reportedly given to the protesters were the resignation of then Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, action on examination reforms, withdrawal of cases against peaceful protesters, and compensation for families of students who allegedly died by suicide in connection with the examination controversy.
Despite those assurances, fresh protests erupted in Bihar on July 22 and July 25, during which clashes were reported between protesters and police. Several FIRs were registered, and hundreds of students and activists were detained. In Siwan, police opened fire during violence linked to the Bihar bandh, leaving several people injured, while a police personnel was later suspended over the alleged use of an AK-47 during the clashes.
The CJP had recently alleged that governments in Bihar, West Bengal and other states were violating assurances given to protesters by continuing arrests and legal action. The organisation warned that it would resume its agitation if FIRs were not withdrawn and detainees were not released.
The Bihar Government’s latest announcement appears aimed at implementing those assurances by initiating the withdrawal of cases registered before 6 p.m. on July 26 and releasing those arrested in connection with them. However, the press release does not clarify the status of cases registered after the cut-off time or whether similar measures will be adopted by other states.
