De-escalation in Bihar: Nitish Govt Withdraws FIRs Against NEET Paper Leak Protesters, Orders Immediate Release of Detainees

In a major relief to protesting students and opposition leaders across the state, the Bihar Home Department issued a notification late Monday evening announcing the complete withdrawal of legal cases filed against individuals demonstrating over the NEET-UG paper leak controversy.The state government further ordered the immediate release of hundreds of activists and students taken into custody or sent to jail during the widespread agitations.Key Highlights of the Government NotificationThe official order issued by the Bihar Home Department outlines specific terms for dropping charges and restoring normalcy in the state:Scope of Immunity: All FIRs, formal complaints, and show-cause notices about protest incidents occurring before 6:00 PM on July 26, 2026, stand withdrawn.Immediate Release: Authorities are instructed to release all detained and jailed demonstrators "forthwith".Protection Against Future Action: The notification explicitly assures that no retaliatory, punitive, or adverse legal actions will be initiated against participating students moving forward.Cut-off Exception: Legal immunity will not apply to violent acts or law-and-order offences occurring after the 6:00 PM cut-off on July 26, 2026.Over 300 Jailed, 600 Detained During Statewide UnrestThe decision follows weeks of escalating tension across several districts in Bihar, which turned particularly violent in Siwan, leading to tear gas deployment and heavy police action.Action CategoryTotal Individuals AffectedKey Figures IncludedJailed355Janshakti Janata Dal leader Tej Pratap YadavDetained694Student leaders & regional party workersPolitical Context Behind the Policy ShiftThe administrative U-turn comes amid intense political pressure and national fallout from the NEET-UG examination controversy.Central Level Resignation: The decision followed Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation and the introduction of the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill in Parliament.Opposition Ultimatums: Former Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav had issued a strict deadline demanding the complete dismissal of charges against student demonstrators, threatening a statewide shutdown starting July 29.Police Accountability: Bihar Police Headquarters also initiated disciplinary proceedings, suspending a constable who discharged an AK-47 into the air during clashes in Siwan.By withdrawing the FIRs, the Bihar government aims to reduce civil unrest and assure students that their legitimate concerns regarding competitive examination security are being addressed without fear of criminalisation.