Patna, July 23 (IANS) Political tensions escalated in Bihar on Thursday as the police lathi-charge on students protesting the NEET paper leaks became the focal point of heated exchanges in both Houses of the state legislature.
The Opposition mounted a strong attack on the NDA government over incidents involving student protests, while the ruling alliance defended the legislative process, leading to repeated disruptions during the Monsoon Session.
The controversy intensified after an RJD member moved an adjournment motion in the Legislative Council, seeking an immediate discussion on the alleged use of force against students.
The demand triggered sharp exchanges between the Treasury and Opposition Benches, resulting in a noisy uproar in the House.
Participating in the debate, RJD MLC Abdul Bari Siddiqui said that the 1974 students’ movement was not led by any single political party but emerged as a broad public movement.
He argued that a similar atmosphere of student unrest was now developing across the country.
His remarks drew objections from members of the ruling alliance.
Amid the exchange, RJD MLC Sunil Singh also intervened, leading to further verbal confrontations between the two sides.
Siddiqui alleged that attempts to suppress dissent reflected an authoritarian approach and maintained that democratic institutions should allow differing opinions to be expressed freely.
Appealing to the Chair during the commotion, he said the Opposition was only exercising its legitimate parliamentary right by seeking a discussion through an adjournment motion.
He further warned that the alleged use of force against students—including lathi-charges, tear gassing, arrests, and police action—could set an undesirable precedent, urging the government to address the issue through dialogue rather than confrontation.
Responding to the Opposition’s demand, Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Chaudhary said that the House functions according to established parliamentary rules and procedures.
He stated that the admissibility of an adjournment motion rests entirely with the Chairman and that such motions are dealt with in accordance with the rules governing the House.
According to the Deputy Chief Minister, the ruling alliance has no objection to discussions conducted within the framework of legislative procedure, but decisions regarding whether an adjournment motion is accepted or rejected are the exclusive prerogative of the Chair.
The police action against students has emerged as one of the principal issues of the ongoing Monsoon Session of the Bihar Legislature.
–IANS
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