CPI(ML) Liberation, AISA and RYA comrades arrested during the Bihar student-youth movement have been released from jail following the victory of the movement and the withdrawal of cases against protesters.
CPI(ML) MLA Com. Sandeep Saurav and CPI(ML) leader and former JNUSU President Com. Dhananjay were released from Beur Jail, while RYA activists Vishal Yadav, Arun Kumar, Vishwakarma Kushwaha and Pawan Kushwaha were released from Siwan Jail on July 29. On July 30, CPI(ML) Bihar Media Cell member and AISA leader Com. Divyam, AISA Bihar State Secretary Com. Dipankar Mishra, and AISA Patna University President Com. Saba Afreen were released from Beur Jail.
All the comrades had been arrested in a massive crackdown ahead of the Bihar Bandh organised by the student-youth movement on July 25 to demand accountability, justice, and an education system accessible to all. The arrests were part of the government’s attempt to suppress a growing movement against paper leaks, irregularities in examinations, the functioning of the National Testing Agency (NTA), and the BJP government’s National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which promotes the privatisation and commercialisation of education.
After the powerful student-youth mobilisation at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar and the subsequent victory of the movement, the Union government was forced to withdraw cases and release all arrested protesters and leaders. As part of the agreement reached after the Jantar Mantar struggle, the Bihar government also issued orders for the release of the arrested comrades.
The release of the comrades is a victory for the collective strength and determination of the student-youth movement. It has once again demonstrated that police repression, arrests and imprisonment cannot silence the voices of students and youth fighting for affordable, inclusive and democratic education.
CPI(ML), AISA and RYA reiterated that the struggle against paper leaks, corruption in examinations, the commercialisation of education, and the anti-student policies of the BJP government will continue with greater strength until the demands of students and youth are fulfilled.
