Political Storm Erupts in Bihar Council Over RSS Comments
A significant uproar disrupted proceedings in the Bihar Legislative Council as senior Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Abdul Bari Siddiqui's remarks concerning the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) ignited fierce protests from Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) members. The situation intensified dramatically, compelling the Council Chairman to intervene and order the expungement of Siddiqui's contentious comments from the official records.
Deputy CM Presents Detailed Crime Statistics
In response to the escalating debate on law and order, Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister Samrat Choudhary presented comprehensive crime data during the session. He disclosed that a total of 20,468 kidnapping cases were registered, with a detailed breakdown revealing that only 158 of these involved murder or ransom demands, while a substantial 14,062 cases were linked to marriage or elopement circumstances.
Choudhary further highlighted a concerning trend in overall cognizable crimes, noting that registered cases surged from 115,216 in 2004 to an alarming 3.52 lakh in 2024, indicating a substantial increase over two decades. Providing a granular analysis, he specified that theft cases alone rose from 11,518 in 2004 to 22,760 in 2024, with other crime categories also demonstrating a consistent upward trajectory.
Siddiqui's Provocative Response and Subsequent Expungement
Reacting to the presented figures, Siddiqui characterized the data as an eye-opener for those frequently referencing the eras of "jungle raj" and "mangal raj" in political discourse. He provocatively suggested that the statistics implied "the jungle raj was better than mangal raj", a statement that immediately fueled further controversy.
Siddiqui added that the minister's reply appeared aligned with explanations typically offered by the RSS, a remark that triggered immediate and vehement objections from ruling party member Santosh Kumar Singh. Singh argued forcefully that mentioning the RSS within the legislative house was entirely inappropriate and demanded the removal of the comment. Upholding this objection, the Council Chairman officially ordered the expungement of Siddiqui's remarks regarding the RSS from the proceedings.
Broader Implications of the Heated Exchange
The incident underscores the volatile nature of political debates in Bihar, where law and order remains a persistently contentious issue. The presentation of crime data, while intended to provide factual clarity, instead became a catalyst for partisan confrontation, revealing deep-seated ideological divides.
The expungement of remarks highlights the sensitivity surrounding references to certain organizations in official legislative discourse, setting a precedent for future deliberations. This episode not only reflects ongoing tensions between the RJD and BJP but also raises questions about the interpretation of crime statistics and their political weaponization in assessing governance efficacy over different administrative periods.
