Patna: Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader and Leader of the Opposition Tejashwi Prasad Yadav has threatened to launch a statewide agitation unless the Bihar government releases students and opposition leaders arrested during the recent protests in Patna within 24 hours.
His warning came after the arrest of several demonstrators, including Janshakti Janata Dal leader and his elder brother Tej Pratap Yadav, who was remanded to judicial custody following violence during a student protest.
‘Release Them Or Face A Movement’
Addressing reporters on Sunday, Tejashwi Yadav said the students had been protesting to demand their rights and alleged that opposition leaders were detained simply for supporting their cause.
“Our elder brother Tej Pratap Yadav has been arrested and charged. We warn the government that if all the students and protesters currently in jail are not released within 24 hours, we will launch a massive agitation,” he said.
He alleged that serious criminal charges had been invoked against Tej Pratap Yadav following his arrest and demanded that all those detained be released by the following day.
Questions Government’s Response
Tejashwi Yadav questioned why authorities in Bihar had taken stringent action against protesters when, according to him, the Union government had announced that those detained during protests in Delhi would be released and no criminal cases would be filed against them.
He called for the immediate release of hundreds of students, opposition legislators and political workers detained during the protests in Bihar.
The RJD leader also demanded action against police personnel allegedly involved in firing during the demonstrations.
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Sharp Attack On Chief Minister
The Leader of the Opposition launched a strong political attack on Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, accusing the government of suppressing dissent through police action.
He alleged that the voice of the people could not be silenced through the use of force or state machinery and claimed the government was attempting to crush democratic protests.
Tejashwi Yadav further warned that students would once again take to the streets if those arrested were not released immediately.
He said the opposition would continue its campaign against the government until its demands were met.
The Bihar government has not yet publicly responded to Tejashwi Yadav’s latest remarks or his demand for the release of those arrested.
