Patna University Students Stage Major Protest March Demanding Implementation of UGC Equity Regulations
Students from Patna University, predominantly belonging to Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST), and Other Backward Class (OBC) communities, organized a significant protest march on Monday. The demonstration was held in strong support of the University Grants Commission (Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions) Regulations, 2026, which aims to enhance protections for marginalized groups in academic institutions.
March Route and Police Confrontation
The protest march began at Patna College and proceeded along Ashok Rajpath toward the JP Roundabout near Gandhi Maidan. Hundreds of participants joined the procession, vocally expressing their discontent with the Central government through chants and slogans. The protesters leveled serious accusations against the government, claiming it was systematically weakening safeguards designed for marginalized communities within higher education frameworks.
As the march approached the JP Roundabout, police authorities had already established barricades to prevent further advancement toward the Dak Bungalow crossing. When students attempted to push forward, climbing over barriers and intensifying their sloganeering, a minor altercation erupted with law enforcement personnel. In response to the escalating tension, authorities deployed a water cannon and riot control vehicles as precautionary measures to manage the situation.
Detentions and Police Statement
During the nearly three-hour standoff, four students were detained on allegations of attempting to breach the police barricades. Among those taken to the Kotwali police station for questioning were student leaders Manish Yadav, Amar Azad Paswan, Gautam Anand Yadav, and Gautam Paswan. Additionally, one student fainted during the protest and was promptly transported to a nearby hospital by police officers using their official vehicle.
DSP (law and order)-I, Krishna Murari Prasad, clarified that no lathicharge or water cannon was actually used against the protesters. He emphasized that police actions were solely aimed at maintaining public order by containing the group at the JP Roundabout. "The detained individuals, including four youths accused of attempting to breach barricades, were later released on personal bond," Prasad informed media representatives.
Traffic Disruption and Broader Demands
The protest caused extensive traffic congestion in the Gandhi Maidan area and surrounding localities, with numerous school buses and other vehicles stranded for hours. This disruption significantly impacted normal daily life in central Patna, highlighting the protest's substantial public footprint.
Protesters also criticized the Supreme Court, accusing it of "double standards" for imposing a stay on measures that benefit approximately 85% of the population (SC/ST/OBC) while treating other legislation differently. Their key demands included the immediate lifting of the stay (imposed on January 29), full implementation of the 2026 UGC regulations, and the extension of reservation policies to the private sector among other equity-focused measures.
