Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary at Patna University. Photo: Neeraj Kumar
By Neeraj Kumar
Patna: A major disruption unfolded at Patna University on Monday as students staged protests during the visit of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who had arrived to inaugurate newly constructed administrative and academic buildings.
The situation turned tense soon after the Chief Minister, accompanied by Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary and other ministers, reached the campus. A section of students began raising slogans of “Samrat go back”, triggering unrest and creating a chaotic atmosphere. Security personnel were immediately deployed to control the crowd, while the administration rushed through the inauguration ceremony amid the commotion.
Despite repeated appeals, protesting students continued their demonstration, forcing the Chief Minister and accompanying dignitaries, including Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha and Education Minister Sunil Kumar, to leave the venue shortly after the formal event concluded.
According to officials, a large number of students gathered at the site, making it difficult for the police to maintain order. Senior officers, including SSP Kartikeya Sharma and District Magistrate Thyagarajan, were present and worked to defuse the situation. The crowd was eventually brought under control after considerable effort.
The protest was led by student union president Shantanu Shekhar, who had arrived at the venue with his supporters before the Chief Minister’s arrival. Students alleged that the union had not been informed about the inauguration, claiming that even the Vice-Chancellor was not formally invited.
In a symbolic act of protest, Shekhar attempted to lock the newly inaugurated building, carrying a padlock, but was stopped by the police. The move intensified sloganeering and briefly led to panic on the campus.
“I am the elected president of the university, and it is my right to raise issues concerning students. If student representatives are excluded from important decisions, protests are inevitable,” Shekhar said.
Interestingly, a section of students expressed support for the Chief Minister, raising slogans in his favour and holding placards praising his leadership, highlighting a visible divide among students.
The newly built administrative (G+8) and academic (G+9) blocks, constructed at a cost of ₹147.29 crore, are equipped with modern facilities. Vice-Chancellor Prof Namita Singh stated that the buildings include CCTV surveillance, seminar halls, clean drinking water, lifts, a power substation and a solar plant to ensure uninterrupted electricity. The university headquarters will soon shift to the new administrative block, while postgraduate departments will operate from the academic building.
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