The political atmosphere in Bihar is heating up as Chirag Paswan, a Union Minister and leader of the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), has openly criticized the Nitish Kumar-led government, of which his party is an ally, over the deteriorating law and order situation in the state. Paswan's remarks follow the recent murder of businessman Gopal Khemka in Patna, an incident that has triggered widespread concern and political backlash.
Paswan expressed his disappointment with the state of affairs, questioning the safety and security of citizens, especially after such a brazen crime occurred in a posh locality in Patna. "It is a matter of big concern, the way crime has increased in Bihar and law and order have deteriorated," Paswan stated. He further emphasized the potential implications for rural areas if such incidents could occur in the heart of the capital city. Paswan has called for strict action to set a precedent and prevent similar incidents from recurring.
The murder of Gopal Khemka, who was reportedly associated with the BJP, took place outside his residence in the Gandhi Maidan area of Patna. Unidentified assailants shot Khemka as he was about to exit his car. This incident occurred seven years after Khemka's son was also murdered in Hajipur. Following the recent murder, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar convened a meeting to address the law and order situation and instructed officials to expedite the investigation. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been formed, and raids are being conducted across the state. Police have also examined CCTV footage and questioned inmates at Beur jail in Patna.
The opposition has seized upon the incident to attack the ruling NDA coalition. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has claimed that the BJP and Nitish Kumar have together transformed Bihar into the "crime capital of India". He urged the people of Bihar to vote for a government that can ensure their safety in the upcoming elections. Tejashwi Yadav, a leader of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), has also condemned the deteriorating law and order situation, alleging that the state has witnessed a large number of murders over the past couple of decades. He accused the government of "media management, perception management, and image management" to掩盖 the true extent of lawlessness.
In response to the criticism, the Janata Dal (United) (JD(U)) has defended Nitish Kumar's government, citing data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) to argue that Bihar's crime rate is lower than the national average and that many other states have higher crime rates. However, these claims have done little to quell the rising concerns and political attacks.
Recent data indicates a complex picture of crime trends in India. While the nationwide crime rate saw a decrease from 487.8 per 100,000 people in 2020 to 445.9 in 2024, crimes against women have reportedly increased. Bihar's crime profile includes a high incidence of caste-based violence, political crimes, and extortion. Other states like Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, and Maharashtra also face significant challenges related to crime, including murder, kidnapping, robbery, cybercrime, and crimes against women.
