Patna Rally: Students Break Barricades Over Democracy Concerns

A student protest led by members of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) drew attention in Patna on Friday, with participants demanding the protection of democratic values and the respect due to constitutional institutions.

The march, titled 'Lok Tantra Bachao, Arajakta Band Karo', started from Gandhi Maidan. Upon reaching JP Golambar, some protesters broke police barricades and headed toward the Dak Bungalow crossing, which led to a short spell of confusion in the locality.

The district administration had put up barricades on both sides of the road to halt the march. Police personnel, water cannons and Vajra riot-control vehicles were brought in to safeguard law and order and prevent any untoward event.

Despite these arrangements and heavy rain, the demonstrators pressed on and got past the barricades.

Yash Dabas, president of the Delhi University Students' Union (DUSU), was one of the leading participants. In spite of the poor weather, he got onto a barricade and addressed the protesters.

In his speech, Dabas accused his political opponents of hypocrisy, arguing that those who now speak of defending the Constitution were themselves spreading disorder in the country. He also mentioned the Emergency and alleged that earlier generations had weakened constitutional values at that time.

Security was reinforced in central Patna in view of the demonstration, and police were posted at key points to regulate the movement of protesters.

ABVP workers said the protest was meant to raise concerns about how democracy and constitutional institutions are functioning. Their slogans and march brought the issue into focus across political circles in Bihar.