Patna Student Protests Turn Violent: Police Deploy Water Cannons During March to CM Residence

Public Lokpal
August 25, 2026

Tensions escalated in Patna as hundreds of job aspirants and BPSC protesters marched from Gandhi Maidan toward the Chief Minister's residence, demanding the cancellation of the 70th BPSC examination and recruitment reforms.

Demonstrators breached heavy police barricades at key transit points like the Dak Bungalow crossing, prompting security forces to resort to water cannons, batons, and detentions. The agitators are pushing for a single-tier examination format for the Teacher Recruitment Examination (TRE-4), transparent public sector hiring, and resolution of grievances concerning the Bihar Staff Selection Commission (BSSC).

While the state government announced monthly student grievance-redressal camps (Vidyarthi Sahyog Shivir) to address youth concerns, student groups have insisted on direct administrative accountability and formal talks regarding recruitment transparency.