Political storm in Bihar Assembly as Opposition flags spike in crimes against women

A political storm has intensified in Bihar over the issue of law and order and increasing cases of rape and murder across the state. As soon as the proceedings of the Legislative Council began on Monday, the Opposition cornered the government over the rising number of rape-murder cases.

Former Chief Minister Rabri Devi made a strong statement, alleging that crimes against women have risen ever since Samrat Choudhary became the Home Minister.

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She demanded the resignation of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Samrat Choudhary for failing to control atrocities against women.

Following Rabri Devi’s statement, all RJD and Congress MLCs stood up and started raising slogans. In the presence of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, the Opposition demanded answers from the government on cases of rape and murder. Soon, the entire Opposition reached the well of the House, clapping and raising slogans.

Amid the uproar, Nitish Kumar said that the Opposition had done nothing during its tenure and was now creating disturbances even when the government was working. He added that the Opposition’s statements had no meaning.

During his remarks, Nitish Kumar addressed Rabri Devi as “ladki” (girl). Opposition members became angry and intensified sloganeering. The Opposition made it clear that protests in the House would continue until the government responds to the issue of rising crime against women.

During the debate, Rabri Devi lost her temper as BJP MLC Devesh Kumar used unparliamentary language for the former chief minister.

After the House proceedings were adjourned, RJD members approached Chairman Awadhesh Narayan Singh in his chamber and submitted a written complaint against Devesh Kumar, demanding action for using unparliamentary language against Rabri Devi.

Later, RJD National Working President Tejashwi Yadav also critcised Nitish Kumar for his remarks against Rabri Devi.

In a post on X, he said, “When the effects of dementia and Alzheimer’s worsen, a person enters a mentally unstable state, where one can only sympathetically wish for the patient’s mental recovery. What would one call a Chief Minister who refers to the state’s first woman Chief Minister as a ‘girl’ and repeatedly displays a narrow, negative, and flawed mindset towards women?”

“It is this very mentality of the Chief Minister that encourages daily incidents of sexual assault against hundreds of young girls, students, and women in Bihar,” he alleged.