Indian authorities have suspended a police constable after he fired an AK-47 assault rifle into the air while attempting to disperse student protesters in Bihar, adding fresh controversy to the nationwide demonstrations that recently forced the resignation of the country’s education minister.
Officials acknowledged that the use of the military-style weapon against student protesters was unjustified and confirmed that disciplinary action has been initiated.
Police Officer Suspended After Rifle Incident
The incident occurred on Saturday in Siwan, located in India’s eastern state of Bihar.
Videos circulating on social media showed a police officer in riot gear running toward a group of protesters before firing at least three rounds into the air with an AK-47 rifle.
Senior police official Nilesh Kumar confirmed that no one was injured during the incident.
“The AK-47 was used wrongly. It cannot be justified in any way,” Kumar said, adding that the officer has been suspended pending further action.
Authorities explained that the constable belonged to a specialized intelligence unit that normally deals with dangerous criminal cases, where the weapon is commonly issued.
Student Protests Continue Across India
The demonstrations began after question papers for India’s national medical entrance examination were leaked earlier this year.
The scandal forced authorities to cancel results and organize a fresh examination for more than two million students, triggering widespread frustration among young people.
Beyond the examination controversy, many protesters say the movement also reflects growing concerns about:
- Youth unemployment
- Lack of government accountability
- Job insecurity caused by artificial intelligence
- Limited career opportunities for graduates
Opposition Criticizes Police Response
Opposition leaders strongly condemned the police action during parliamentary proceedings.
Congress Party President Mallikarjun Kharge described the incident as one of the most serious attacks on democratic rights, criticizing the reported use of an assault rifle against peaceful student demonstrators.
Parliamentary sessions were disrupted as lawmakers argued over the government’s handling of the protests and police response.
Supreme Court Judge Raises Concerns
The incident has also drawn attention from India’s judiciary.
Supreme Court Justice Ujjal Bhuyan warned that the space for peaceful public protest appears to be shrinking in the country.
He emphasized that citizens have a constitutional right to express their opinions and participate in peaceful demonstrations without fear of excessive force.
Pressure on Government Continues
The student movement has already achieved a significant political victory after Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned following weeks of nationwide protests.
However, demonstrations continue in several parts of India, with protesters demanding greater accountability over examination failures, employment opportunities, and the handling of public demonstrations by security forces.
The suspension of the police officer represents the latest development in a movement that has evolved from an education dispute into a broader debate over youth rights, governance, and democratic freedoms in India.
