Police Violence on Plus-two Students

Protesting against the notification to discontinue plus-two (intermediate) classes being held in colleges from April 1 issued by the Bihar Education Department, hundreds of students marched to the office ruling JD(U) on March 1. The march was met with heavy police repression, and several students were injured, including AISA activist Hemant Raj in the police lathi-charge. CPIML MLA Rambali Singh condemned the police action and said that the BJP-Nitish government is hell-bent on destroying the lives of students and the education system in Bihar. Instead of understanding the plight of the students and youth, the government is unleashing state repression on them. Last month, protesting railway aspirants were met with police repression.

Demanding the withdrawal of the unjust order by the education department, a delegation of AISA met the Education Minister on March 21.  In talks with the Education Minister, the AISA delegation said that this decision of the Education Department will adversely impact the students who are undergoing their intermediate course.

AISA State President Preeti Kumari, Joint Secretary Kumar Divyam, AISA leaders Hemant Raj and Shreya Kumari were part of the delegation. CPIML MLA Rambali Singh accompanied the delegation.

Preeti Kumari said the police action was illegal and totally unjust as the students were peaceful and only wanted to submit their memorandum against the order. The BJP-Nitish government seems to be in immense fear and whenever the youth stand up to injustice, the government unleashes police violence.

Under the pressure from students across Bihar, the government later issued a new notification and now intermediate education in colleges can continue for one more year to accommodate the 2023-25 batches.