Union Minister Chirag Paswan, chief of the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), has voiced strong concerns regarding the deteriorating law and order situation in Bihar, asserting that maintaining law and order is the state government's responsibility. Paswan's remarks come amidst a backdrop of rising crime rates and a series of high-profile murders that have sparked public outrage and political sparring.
Paswan's criticism has been particularly sharp, questioning the effectiveness and accountability of the Bihar police. "How many more Biharis will be murdered? It is beyond understanding what the responsibilities of Bihar police are?" Paswan posted on social media. He has also expressed concern over the "sky-high" morale of criminals and the apparent inability of the police administration to curb their activities. Paswan's statements have come in the wake of incidents such as the brazen shooting of a prisoner out on parole inside a private hospital in Patna, which he cited as evidence of criminals openly challenging the law.
The timing of Paswan's remarks is significant, as Bihar is heading towards assembly elections. Sources indicate that Paswan and BJP national president JP Nadda discussed the political situation in Bihar amid growing concerns about crime in the poll-bound state. Paswan's LJP (Ram Vilas) has also announced that it will contest all 243 seats in the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections.
Paswan's criticism has drawn mixed reactions from within the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA). While opposition leaders have supported his concerns, some leaders within the NDA have urged him to adhere to "coalition dharma" and refrain from publicly criticizing the state government. Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha has defended the Nitish Kumar-led government, stating that strict action is taken in every crime incident and criminals are not spared.
Adding fuel to the fire, Bihar Police ADG Kundan Krishnan attributed the rise in crime to the seasonal unemployment of agricultural workers, suggesting that murders increase during the months when farmers are idle. This statement has been widely condemned, with Paswan calling it "extremely reprehensible and unfortunate" and accusing the police of focusing on unnecessary statements instead of cracking down on criminals.
Data from the State Crime Records Bureau (SCRB) indicates a concerning trend. Between January and June 2025, Bihar recorded 1,376 murders, averaging 229 per month. This compares to 2,786 murders in all of 2024 and 2,863 in 2023. The proliferation of illegal firearms and ammunition has been cited as a major contributing factor to the rise in violent crimes. Patna leads the state in Arms Act cases and violent crimes.
The issue of rising crime has become a major political flashpoint in Bihar. Opposition leaders have accused the government of failing to maintain law and order, with some even calling Bihar the "crime capital of India". In response, the ruling Janata Dal (United) (JD(U)) has defended the Nitish Kumar government, citing National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data to argue that Bihar fares better than many other states in terms of crime rates.
Despite the political debate, the statistics paint a concerning picture. While NCRB data from 2021 indicates a decrease in the overall crime rate in India, other data suggests a rise in specific crimes such as rape and kidnapping. The state's crime rate in 2025 was 445.9 per 100,000 people. Furthermore, the increasing number of recovered country-made firearms in recent years underscores the challenge of controlling the illegal arms trade.
As Bihar approaches the upcoming assembly elections, the issue of law and order is likely to remain a central theme. Chirag Paswan's strong stance reflects the growing public concern and the potential for this issue to influence the political landscape.
