BJP leader dead during Patna protest, party blames police lathi charge

#WATCH | Patna | Two Bihar BJP MLAs marshalled out of Bihar Assembly after they reportedly raised the issue of the posting of teachers in the state. pic.twitter.com/B7WjkfokGw

— ANI (@ANI) July 13, 2023

Bihar has witnessed protests by a large number of teachers as well as applicants for the 1.7 lakh vacancies for teaching jobs in the state, following a decision by the state cabinet to do away with the domicile clause for applicants, opening up the jobs to applicants from across the country. The BJP has backed this protest, and Thursday’s show of strength was meant to press the demand to restore the domicile clause and also seek Tejashwi’s resignation after he was chargesheeted in an alleged scam.

Several party leaders were detained and later released in the evening. BJP Rajya Sabha MP Sushil Kumar Modi, who was among those detained, first declared the news of Singh’s death.

Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) Medical Superintendent I S Thakur confirmed the death. Patna Senior Superintendent of Police Rajiv Mishra, however, told The Indian Express: “He (Singh) was found unconscious at Chajju Bagh, which is quite some distance from Dak Bungalow Chowk (where the protest and lathi charge took place). There is no external injury on his body. The exact reason of death can be ascertained only after a post-mortem.”

#WATCH | Patna: Security personnel use water cannons and open lathi charge to disperse BJP workers protesting against Bihar govt on issue of the posting of teachers in the state pic.twitter.com/Vxp010wYDo

— ANI (@ANI) July 13, 2023

Singh had been in the BJP for over 20 years. His wife Pratima Devi told reporters: “My husband had no major health issues. He died because of police excesses. We demand a high-level inquiry into the incident.” Singh had left for Patna alongside over 50 party workers to take part in the march.

Sushil and BJP Pataliputra MP Ram Kripal Yadav said the party would lodge a case against the Patna police, and take out a march from Vidhan Sabha to Raj Bhavan on Friday.

Leader of Opposition Vijay Kumar Sinha said: “We cannot go by Patna administration’s version that Singh did not die because of the lathicharge… Once the government changes, errant officers will be brought to book.”

While over two dozen BJP workers received treatment at PMCH and Gardiner hospital, around 50 BJP workers were treated at the BJP office by engaging private doctors.

VIDEO | “In the first cabinet meeting, they (Bihar Government) talked about giving 10 lakh jobs, however they failed to deliver on this promise. Today, BJP will be a strong opposition in the assembly as well as on the streets and protest against them,” says BJP leader Haribhushan… pic.twitter.com/DCzul75b2R

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 13, 2023

BJP state president Samrat Choudhary said: “Our party leader Vijay Kumar Singh was killed because of police atrocity. It is not death but murder.” Party leader Syed Shahnawaz Husaain said: “We had taken out a peaceful march and there was no immediate provocation for the police lathi charge. It reminds us of Emergency days.”

JD (U) spokesperson Neeraj Kumar, however, said the reason behind the BJP leader’s death will be ascertained only after a post-mortem report. Bihar Deputy CM Tejashwi Prasad Yadav said: “BJP’s grievances against our government do not hold because we have already given three lakh jobs so far and would live up to our promise of giving 10 lakh jobs in another two years.”