Tejashwi Yadav threatens to resume protests if brother Tej Pratap, others not released within 24 hours

Tejashwi Yadav met an injured protester in Patna on Sunday (July 26, 2026). | Photo Credit: Tejashwi’s X Handle

State Opposition Leader Tejashwi Yadav on Sunday (July 26, 2026) hit out at the Bihar Police for arresting hundreds of people during the Bihar Bandh and demanded the immediate release of students, opposition MLAs and other protesters, including his elder brother Teja Pratap Yadav. If they were not released within 24 hours, he warned the state government that they would again take to the streets in protest.

The Bihar Bandh was called by the All India Students Association on Saturday (July 25, 2026). It turned violent in places and resulted in clashes with police, who opened fire and jailed hundreds in Siwan. Among those arrested was Mr. Tej Pratap Yadav, who is no longer a member of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and has formed his own political group. He was arrested by the Patna police on charges of obstructing government officials in the discharge of their duties and sent to judicial custody in Beur jail for 14 days.

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“The Center yesterday decided to withdraw all cases against the protesting students and youth (in Delhi). The (Bihar) government should follow suit,” Mr Tejashwi Yadav told reporters at the Patna airport, where he was accompanied by his mother and former chief minister Rabri Devi. “I am giving Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary 24 hours to release everyone including my brother or be ready to face a massive agitation when students and youth again hit the road to protest,” he added.

“The Machine of Power”

The RJD leader also asked the government to take action against policemen who opened fire on students in Siwan on July 25 and Jehanabad on July 23.

Blaming the police action on Mr. Choudhary, Tejashwi Yadav said, “A person with a criminal mentality has been appointed Chief Minister of Bihar, who was never elected and never will be. He cannot silence the voice of Biharis with lathis and machinery of power.”

The RJD leader later visited hospitals where injured protesters were being treated. “In a democracy, peaceful protest is a fundamental right that allows citizens to express their dissent and ideas and hold unchecked power to account,” he said in a post on X after meeting with protesters.

“Minors Also Arrested”

Student organization member Disha Soma Roy told The Hindu that many students were arrested by the Patna police, including some minors.

“Since July 22, as many as 11 FIRs have been lodged against the protesting students at various police stations in the state. Some of them are even minors and their parents have contacted me to inquire about their health. The state police must release them immediately as they have been wrongfully detained,” Ms. Roy said.

Others who were arrested include Sandeep Saurav, Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) Liberation MLA for Paliganj; AISA state unit leaders including President Dhananjay, Secretary Deepak Mishra and Vice President Saba Afrin; and student leader Kumar Divyam.

A day of protest

At a press conference in Patna, Revolutionary Youth Association (RYA) National President Ajit Kumar Singh, RYA State Secretary Shivprakash Ranjan, former Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union President Nitish Kumar and other youth leaders launched a scathing attack on the state government. They strongly condemned the police action during the Bihar Bandh and demanded the release of the arrested MLAs and youth leaders.

They announced that Virodh Diwas or protest day will be observed in Bihar on July 30 to protest the police action and illegal arrest of student leaders including MLA Mr. Saurav. A massive road blockade is also planned in Mr. Saurav’s Paliganj Assembly constituency to show strength against the government.

Published – 26 Jul 2026 21:59 IST