“No adverse legal action — punitive or retaliatory — shall be taken by the government against any individual participating in the protests before 6 PM on July 26, across the entire state,” the state home department said. It added that all people arrested or detained in cases registered before that date would be released immediately, according to special secretary Kshtranil Singh.
The decision follows sharp criticism over the Bihar police’s crackdown, which saw hundreds of young protesters sent to judicial custody. Authorities said 694 people were detained across the state in connection with the July 25 strike, which was jointly organised by the All-India Students’ Association (AISA) and Revolutionary Youth Association (RYA) in support of the CJP’s demonstration in New Delhi. Of those detained, 355 were remanded to judicial custody while 339 — including minors — were released after age verification.
Violence was reported in at least 13 districts, with Patna recording the highest number of detentions. Footage and reports from the city showed clashes and instances of property damage, including a police vehicle being toppled during the Bihar bandh called over the alleged NEET paper leak and ensuing police action.
CJP welcomed the government’s move. Spokesperson Saurav Das described the announcement as “a big relief” to students and protesters, noting the CJP had warned of possible further protests in Delhi if assurances were not provided.
Families of the detained have described chaotic and painful scenes as they tried to locate their relatives. Relatives allege that many students were picked up while carrying out routine activities and subjected to harsh treatment. In one case from Aurangabad, a mechanic said his three sons, returning from coaching classes in Patna, were arrested by Kankarbagh police; the eldest, a polytechnic student, was reportedly jailed after making a statement against the prime minister, while his two younger brothers — minors — were later released.
Relatives also accused police of booking students under serious, non-bailable sections of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita, including Section 109, and of transferring detainees between multiple police stations — Gandhi Maidan, Digha, Rajiv Nagar and Rupaspur — leaving families searching for days. Many of the detained students were later moved to Beur jail late at night, relatives said.
The crackdown has not been limited to Bihar. West Bengal police arrested more than a dozen people for violence at rallies and demonstrations linked to the protest, registering charges that include damaging public property and vandalism. Earlier, 14 people were remanded in police custody after authorities told the court they were not students. Police said two more men were arrested from Bright Street and Nadial, bringing the total accused to 16, who have been booked under the West Bengal Public Safety and Control of Anti-social Activities Act and the West Bengal Maintenance of Public Order (Amendment) Act.
In Kolkata, separate complaints have been lodged against public figures: at least three police complaints were filed against actor Sreelekha Mitra for allegedly displaying an objectionable cartoon of the prime minister during an agitation at Esplanade, and two people were arrested on charges of insulting the prime minister on July 24.
In Prayagraj, police arrested 10 suspects accused of vandalising vehicles during student protests on July 25 and registered three FIRs under sections of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita, including sections related to obstructing public duties and causing grievous hurt.
The Bihar home department’s withdrawal order is likely to ease immediate tensions, but the wider protests and the CJP’s continued agitation signal potential for further unrest if authorities and organisers fail to reach a durable settlement over the alleged NEET leak and related grievances.