Patna witnessed massive student unrest on Tuesday as thousands of aspiring teachers took to the streets against the Bihar government’s drastic reduction in vacancies for the fourth phase of the Teacher Recruitment Examination (TRE-4). What began as a peaceful march soon escalated into violent clashes with police, leaving the city’s core areas engulfed in chaos.

The demonstrators, numbering in the thousands, accused the government of betrayal after authorities slashed promised recruitment numbers from over 1.20 lakh posts to just 26,000–27,000. Protesters claimed this decision not only jeopardizes the future of thousands of qualified candidates but also undermines Bihar’s educational system.

From Patna College to Gandhi Maidan: A Protest Turns Violent

The agitation began around 11 am at Patna College, where nearly 3,000 candidates initially gathered. The protest route was planned to move through Khaitan Market, Bakarganj, Gandhi Maidan, JP Golambar, and Dak Bungalow crossing, before heading towards the Chief Minister’s residence.

By mid-morning, the crowd swelled to nearly 6,000 aspirants. Students carried placards, chanted slogans, and blocked key traffic intersections in the city. Their central demand: the immediate release of a notification for 1.20 lakh teacher posts by September 15 and completion of certificate verification before the exams.

However, the situation spiraled out of control near Gandhi Maidan and later at Dak Bungalow crossing, where protesters tried to break through three layers of police barricades. Security forces responded with baton charges and water cannons, forcing the crowd to scatter.

Patna SSP Kartikeya K Sharma confirmed that despite repeated warnings, protesters refused to vacate the roads and attempted to storm barricades, leaving police with no option but to use force. Tear gas shells were also kept on standby.

Student Voices: “No Jobs, No Votes”

The protests have been fueled by a sense of betrayal among aspirants who have been preparing for TRE-4 for years. Many accused the government of deliberately misleading students.

Student leader Dilip Kumar, who spearheaded the march, alleged that the state initially inflated vacancy numbers to benefit outsiders before the domicile policy was enforced. Now, with the new rules, vacancies have been slashed to just 27,910 seats.

“This is nothing short of a betrayal of Bihar’s unemployed youth. Both the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister had repeatedly assured 1.20 lakh posts. Conducting exams for only 27,000 vacancies is an insult,” Dilip told the media.

On social media, the anger was palpable. A user named Jitesh Yadav posted on X (formerly Twitter): “Wada kiya hai to nibhana prega, warna satta se hath dhona parega. BPSC TRE-4 me 1,20,000 vacancy nahi to vote nahi. Hum student Bihar ka bhavishya hai, khilona nahi. Humne 3 saal se sirf TRE-4 ke liye preparation kiya hai.”

Protesters echoed similar sentiments on the ground, shouting slogans like “No jobs, no votes” and pledging to make TRE-4 a defining political issue in the state.

Government’s Response: Exams Scheduled, Vacancies Limited

The Bihar Education Minister Sunil Kumar addressed the growing outrage by confirming that 26,000+ posts will indeed be filled under TRE-4. He also announced the tentative schedule:

• Exam Dates: December 16 to 19, 2025

• Result Declaration: January 20 to 26, 2026

He assured students that the process would remain transparent and timely, dismissing claims of foul play. However, his statement did little to quell the anger, as aspirants insisted that the number of posts must align with the earlier promise of 1.20 lakh vacancies.

High-Level Negotiations and Police Action

Amid rising tensions, Magistrate MH Khan was dispatched to negotiate with protesters. In a dramatic scene, some candidates fell at his feet, pleading for direct intervention from the Additional Chief Secretary of Education. Eventually, five representatives were allowed to meet the official to present their demands.

But outside, confrontations with police intensified. Traffic around Dak Bungalow crossing and Gandhi Maidan came to a standstill as students resisted police dispersal tactics. Eyewitnesses reported scenes of chaos, with protesters regrouping after lathi charges and chanting louder against the state government.

नीतीश कुमार की पुलिस
युवाओं को पकड़ पकड़कर नौकरी दे रही है #TRE 4 pic.twitter.com/5jDKX4Oddi— Atul Londhe Patil (INDIA Ka Parivar)🇮🇳 (@atullondhe) September 9, 2025

Political and Social Impact

The protests are more than a clash over jobs—they represent a brewing political storm in Bihar. With September 15 set as the aspirants’ deadline, the issue has the potential to become a flashpoint for the ruling administration.

The trending hashtag #BPSCTRE4 has amplified the agitation nationally, putting pressure on the government to revisit its decision. Analysts suggest that continued unrest could influence voter sentiments, particularly among Bihar’s large population of unemployed youth.

Education experts also warn that failing to recruit enough teachers could worsen the state’s teacher-student ratio, which is already below national standards. Aspirants argue that filling 1.20 lakh vacancies is not just about employment but about meeting urgent educational needs across Bihar.

An Unresolved Standoff

Tuesday’s events in Patna laid bare the growing disconnect between the government and the state’s youth. For the thousands of aspirants who have spent years preparing for TRE-4, reduced vacancies feel like broken promises and dashed hopes.

As the September 15 deadline approaches, Bihar stands at a crossroads. The outcome of this standoff—whether the government concedes to the demand of 1.20 lakh posts or holds firm on its current stance—will not only shape the TRE-4 recruitment process but could also have far-reaching consequences on the political landscape of the state.

For now, Patna remains a city on edge, where the aspirations of thousands clash daily with the realities of governance.

With inputs from agencies

Image Source: Multiple agencies

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