A viral video showing a Bihar policeman firing an AK-47 rifle during protests in Siwan triggered a political storm in Parliament on Monday, July 27, 2026. Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi demanded an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and action against those who attacked students. According to Superintendent of Police of Siwan district Puran Kumar Jha, the policeman has been suspended and a departmental inquiry ordered following the incident.
Political Fallout and Opposition Reactions in Parliament
The unrest stems from a Bihar bandh called by the All India Students Association against the NEET paper leak. In a post in Hindi on X, Mr. Gandhi stated that the entire system is downright murderous against students, pointing out that pellet guns were used in Delhi and AK-47s in Bihar. Several other Congress leaders condemned the use of force. Congress general secretary (organisation) K.C. Venugopal demanded an explanation from Union Home Minister Amit Shah regarding who ordered the deployment of weapons. Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra remarked that students are not terrorists, while MP Manish Tewari termed the action against unarmed students barbaric and inhuman.
Leader of the Opposition in the Bihar Assembly and Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Tejashwi Yadav also demanded action against responsible officials. Mr. Yadav warned that if arrested students and his elder brother, Tej Pratap Yadav, who was arrested on July 26, are not released within 24 hours, the party will launch a massive statewide agitation. The video of the policeman firing the weapon circulated widely online starting July 26. A local journalist in Siwan told The Hindu that the video surfaced late because internet services remained suspended for 24 hours after the protest.
Did You Know? The video of the policeman firing the AK-47 surfaced late on social media because local internet services remained suspended for 24 hours following the protest in Siwan.
Details of the Police Action and Casualties
The officer identified in the video is Abhishek Kumar, attached to the District Intelligence Unit. According to a police statement, the officer fired four rounds in the air near J.P. Chowk to protect government property and lives, and no one was injured in that specific firing. However, Siwan SP Puran Kumar Jha stated that the question of who authorized the firing will be examined in the departmental probe.
At least three protesters sustained gunshot injuries at locations away from J.P. Chowk and were admitted to a private hospital in Patna, where their condition is stated to be stable. One of them was discharged on July 27. The injured individuals include a 17-year-old whose name is withheld, 22-year-old Aakash Kumar, and 20-year-old Bullet Kumar Gond. Police shifted them from Siwan Sadar Hospital to Patna for treatment and have registered an FIR against all three.
Wider Statewide Clashes and Arrest Figures
Police reported that 694 people were detained during the July 25 protests. This total included 339 minors who were subsequently released after verification. The demonstrations and subsequent violence resulted in injuries to 91 policemen and 13 civilians, alongside damage to 14 police vehicles. Additionally, two Block Development Officers sustained grievous injuries during the unrest.
Protesters had pelted stones at security personnel in Siwan before the armed officer opened fire. Demonstrations occurred across various parts of Bihar, including Patna, where police vehicles were vandalized and multiple protesters were detained amid the broader agitation against the NEET paper leak.
Frequently Asked Questions
What triggered the protests in Bihar?
The protests and subsequent Bihar bandh were called by the All India Students Association against the NEET paper leak.
What action was taken against the policeman seen in the viral video?
According to Siwan Superintendent of Police Puran Kumar Jha, the policeman, Abhishek Kumar, has been suspended and a departmental inquiry has been ordered.
How many people were detained during the July 25 protests?
Police reported that 694 people were detained during the protests, which included 339 minors who were later released following verification.
What steps should authorities take next to address both the security concerns and the grievances raised by student groups and political leaders?
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