Bihar Administration Criticism Intensifies: Battle Between Chirag and Nitish Highlights
In the heart of India, the state of Bihar is grappling with a significant crime challenge, marked by rising cases, systemic issues, and a political discourse that is both critical and responsive.
The latest voice to join the chorus of criticism is Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) leader Chirag Paswan. He has publicly accused the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government in Bihar of failing to maintain law and order, implying a "jungle raj" (lawlessness) scenario under the current administration. Paswan has highlighted the fear among citizens and business communities, citing the administration's inability to control crime effectively [2].
However, the NDA alliance has responded by emphasizing ongoing efforts and initiatives to combat crime. The Bihar Police have launched a crackdown on the assets of over 1,300 notorious criminals, aiming to dismantle the financial infrastructure of organized crime in the state [1]. High-ranking police officials, including the Director General of Police (DGP) Vinay Kumar and Additional Director General (ADG) Kundan Krishnan, acknowledge challenges such as rising crimes linked to social-economic factors like unemployment and population density [3][5]. They have noted that personal vendettas and land disputes are primary motives behind much of the violent crime, including murders.
Despite these efforts, data indicates that crime rates in Bihar have increased substantially over recent years. From 2015 to 2024, crimes rose by over 80%, with violent crime fueled partly by illegal arms prevalence and social tensions. The criminal justice system faces additional burdens such as disproportionate incarceration of marginalized groups, with many undertrial prisoners belonging to disadvantaged communities, highlighting systemic biases and delays [3][4].
The criticism comes in response to a series of heinous crimes reported in Bihar, including the rape of a woman in an ambulance and a spate of high-profile killings. Bihar ranks low on most Niti Aayog indicators of human development, lacking in education, healthcare services, and infrastructure [6]. The state's current state hinders its significant potential for development, particularly in terms of agriculture and employment creation [7].
As the election year approaches, the discord within the NDA front could potentially weaken their argument on the improved law and order situation. Meanwhile, Chirag Paswan's statements may strengthen the RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav and the Mahagathbandhan, who are already capitalizing on the opportunity [4]. The NDA, specifically the BJP, is yet to decide on the chief ministerial candidate and the number of seats it could concede to JD(U), while the Mahagathbandhan has practically decided on a seat-sharing formula and started talks on seat swapping [8].
In light of these challenges, it is crucial for all contesting parties to reconsider their approach to ensure the well-being of citizens before seeking a mandate to rule for another five years. The state of Bihar, with its current challenges, requires a proper rethink in terms of policies and positions from all political formations. It is essential that the law and order situation improves, not just for political gains, but for the emancipation of its people and the development of the state.
- The ongoing criticism against the NDA government in Bihar regarding law and order, as voiced by Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) leader Chirag Paswan, highlights the need for a review in policy-and-legislation and appropriate political responses to address crime-and-justice issues.
- As the election year approaches, discussions on the general-news, particularly the law-and-order situation in Bihar, have become crucial, with political parties required to rethink their positions to ensure a safer and more developed state for its citizens.
