# India police use water cannons on protests

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/india-police-use-water-cannons-on-protests
> Updated: 2026-08-04T10:43:25.000Z. Sources: 8. Developments: 2.

On 3 August 2026, Rajasthan police in Jaipur used lathi charges and water‑cannon fire to disperse a large rally of the Shree Rajput Karni Sena led by Mahipal Singh Makrana. Demonstrators from 24 states started at Ravan Gate, intending to submit a memorandum to the district collector. Police erected barricades at Kalwar Puliya, Chomu Puliya and Khasakothi Puliya; when the crowd forced through, water‑cannon vehicles were deployed. An ambulance was briefly trapped, and Makrana, who fell ill, continued the march in a wheelchair. The Special Task Force was called in to reinforce the route.

On 4 August 2026, Bihar police in Patna confronted a student march organized by the National Students’ Union of India and allied groups demanding a probe into a paper‑leak scandal, recruitment‑exam irregularities and more job opportunities. Barricades were set up at JP Golambar and the Income‑Tax circle; after demonstrators attempted to breach them, officers used a water cannon and arrested several leaders, including NSUI national president Vinod Jakhad and Congress state president Rajesh Ram. Protesters also called for withdrawal of pending cases, compensation for a student injured in a prior Siwan clash, and release of detained activists. The action caused temporary traffic disruptions in the city.

## Timeline

### 2026-08-04: Patna student protest over paper leak and recruitment exam irregularities met with police water cannon

Students in Patna protested paper‑leak and exam irregularities, marching to the CM’s residence; police used water cannons and arrested leaders including Vinod Jakhad and Rajesh Ram.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/patna-student-protest-halted-by-water-cannon-as-police-block-march-to-cm-residence

### 2026-08-03: Jaipur Police Use Water Cannons on Karni Sena Protest

Jaipur police used water cannons and lathi charges to break up a Karni Sena rally demanding UGC policy rollbacks, led by Mahipal Singh Makrana, after protesters forced through multiple police barricades.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/jaipur-police-use-water-cannons-on-karni-sena-protest

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Cite as: India police use water cannons on protests. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/india-police-use-water-cannons-on-protests