In the wake of a broad daylight murder at a hospital in Patna on Thursday, Bihar Police ADG (Headquarters) Kundan Krishnan has sparked controversy with a startling remark linking rising crime and murder in the state to farmers.
Addressing the media on Wednesday, he had said, “Recently, a lot of murders have happened in the whole of Bihar. Most murders happen in the months of April, May and June. This continues until the rains come, as most farmers do not have work. After the rains, people in the farming community get busy and the incidents reduce…”
This has attracted sharp reactions from the Opposition.
Leader of Opposition in Bihar Assembly Tejashwi Yadav launched a scathing attack, saying, “If the ADG had said this earlier, people would have fled Bihar.”
Bihar Congress spokesperson Anand Madhav strongly condemned the ADG’s statement. He said the ADG should immediately apologise to farmers for his unfortunate and disgraceful comment and the government must initiate disciplinary action against him.
He questioned: “If unemployment drives people to commit murder, does that mean all unemployed people are criminals? After retirement, even police officers have no work—will they too turn to crime?”
Jan Suraaj Party founder Prashant Kishor said it reflects the mindset of such officials and the government.
He said, “Instead of taking responsibility or acting against the guilty officers, they are blaming society—farmers and labourers. Watch the video from Paras Hospital. You can see people in pants and shirts entering and shooting. If the ADG sees them as farmers, then he truly needs an eye exam.”
Kishor also slammed the Bihar government and said that law and order in the state is bound to deteriorate further because the entire administration is focused on making money from liquor and sand.
“Ministers are engaged in illegal earnings through transfers and postings. When will they actually work on enforcing the law? If the head of the government remains in a comatose state, the situation is bound to worsen,” he added.
CPI (ML)’s state secretary Comrade Kunal said the capital of Bihar has now turned into the capital of crime.
“Criminals are out of control while the administration sits as a mute spectator. The time has come for the people of Bihar to oust this incompetent and exploitative government from power. The public has made up its mind for change, and CPI (ML), along with the INDIA alliance, will strongly support this struggle for transformation.”
Union Minister Chirag Paswan also raised serious concern over law and order situation in Bihar. He said: “Murders are happening every day, and the morale of criminals is sky-high. The functioning of the police and administration is beyond comprehension.”
He added: “The incident of criminals openly firing inside Paras Hospital, located in a residential area of Patna today, is proof that criminals are now directly challenging the law and administration. The rising criminal cases just before the Bihar Legislative Election are worrisome. It is hoped that the administration will soon take concrete and strict steps to bring law and order back on track.”