Patna: The Bihar BJP and JD (U)’s offices on Beer Chand Patel Path have increasingly resembled a battleground, with protests erupting almost daily outside their gates. The unrest recently escalated to the point where BJP national president Jagat Prakash Nadda was recently unable to hold a core committee meeting at the party office.
In response to such incidents, the Bihar government has declared Beer Chand Patel Path a restricted zone under Section 163, prohibiting large gatherings outside the party office. The area has effectively been transformed into a police camp, with officials warning that any intruder attempting to breach security will face an FIR.
To maintain order, more than 50 police personnel and two magistrates are stationed around the office, supported by a temporary police camp set up at the site. “We have been assigned the responsibility of protecting the party office. We are deployed for security, and no one will be allowed to protest outside,” a police officer said.
Despite the restrictions, protesters—including teacher candidates, revenue officials and Dial 112 drivers—have continued to target the BJP and JD (U) offices. In several instances, police have resorted to lathi charges to disperse the crowds.
The disruption was most visible during Nadda’s September 13 visit to Patna. With revenue officials staging protests at the BJP office, the core committee meeting had to be relocated to the State Guest House.
Section 163 is generally imposed in areas where authorities anticipate disturbances or threats. It restricts public gatherings, movement and even mobile phone use in sensitive areas, particularly during political events or festivals.
