PATNA: In a major move to defuse escalating tensions, Bihar govt on Monday announced a blanket amnesty for all individuals involved in the massive student-led protests against alleged NEET-UG paper leak. This sweeping directive comes in the wake of a massive statewide crackdown on July 25, which saw the detention and arrest of 694 protesters during widespread agitations demanding accountability and reforms in the national examination and higher education sectors.According to an official executive order issued by the home department’s special secretary Kshtranil Singh on Monday, the state govt has guaranteed that no adverse, punitive or retaliatory legal action will be taken against any individual who participated in the protests anywhere in Bihar before 6 pm on July 26 this year.“The govt of Bihar gives the following assurances in connection with the protests related to the alleged irregularities in NEET (UG) examination and the consequent demand for accountability and reforms in the examination and higher education sector: No adverse legal action, punitive/retaliatory, shall be taken by the govt against any individual participating in the protests before 6pm on July 26, 2026, across the entire state.Also, the legal process for withdrawal of all existing FIRs, criminal complaints or show-cause notices against individuals, before 6pm on July 26, 2026, on account of their participation in the said protests, will be initiated immediately.Furthermore, all the persons arrested/detained in connection with the cases registered before 6pm on July 26, 2026, shall be released immediately. Lastly, in all these cases registered before 6pm on July 26, 2026, no action, directly or indirectly, will be taken against such individuals in future as well,” the order issued by the state’s home department said.The order addresses those already caught in the state’s legal machinery. The govt has mandated that the legal process for the withdrawal of all existing FIRs, criminal complaints and institutional show-cause notices issued on account of the protests will be initiated immediately. Furthermore, authorities have been directed to ensure the immediate release of all persons currently arrested or detained under cases registered before Sunday evening, directly clearing the path for the freedom of the 694 individuals detained during Saturday’s intense demonstrations.In order to rebuild trust with the student community, the state govt also explicitly stated that no action, either direct or indirect, will be taken against these individuals in the future regarding these specific cases. Observers view this comprehensive concession as a strategic step by the state administration to restore public order and clear administrative gridlocks.AISA national president Neha Bora, who earlier led the students’ protests at Jantar Mantar in Delhi and arrived here on Monday, sought a written assurance from the state govt by Tuesday that it would withdraw the police cases lodged against students and also release from various jails the students and youths arrested and incarcerated for their participation in the students’ protests held in Patna and in the state against the alleged NEET paper leaks. Talking to reporters, Neha said she has made the twin demands from the state govt in accordance with the assurances earlier given by the central govt as part of the decision taken regarding the cessation of the students’ protests at Jantar Mantar.
