Is Rising Crime in Bihar a Failure of Nitish Kumar's Leadership?

Synopsis
In a fierce indictment of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Lalu Prasad highlights the alarming crime rates in Bihar, citing over 65,000 murders under his governance. As the state gears up for elections, public safety issues are at the forefront of political discourse.
Key Takeaways
- 65,000 murders reported under Nitish Kumar's governance.
- Crime rates are rising ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections.
- Public safety is a major political issue in Bihar.
- Criticism of law enforcement agencies by opposition leaders.
- Recent incidents highlight the dire state of public safety.
Patna, June 10 (NationPress) With increasing alarm over the escalating crime statistics in Bihar, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) President Lalu Prasad has sharply criticized Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for the deteriorating law and order situation in the state.
Lalu took a jab at Nitish Kumar’s previous claims about the “Jungle Raj” during the Lalu-Rabri period, stating, “Nitish Kumar always argued that citizens were fearful of stepping out of their homes post 5 p.m. Are all these crimes occurring only after 5 p.m.? Can he specify how many happen in broad daylight, prior to 5 p.m.?”
Referencing official statistics, Lalu asserted that over 65,000 murders have transpired during Nitish Kumar’s time in office.
“Is Nitish Kumar aware that, according to official data, more than 65,000 murders have occurred under his leadership?” he expressed in a post on X.
He further accused the alliance between Nitish Kumar and the BJP of dismantling Bihar’s law enforcement framework.
“The Nitish-BJP coalition hasn’t merely compromised law and order -- they have obliterated it. Bihar has never witnessed such a corrupt, apathetic, and sluggish police force,” Lalu contended.
He also highlighted a recent double-murder incident in Patna’s Alamganj area, where three family members were shot at during the day; two succumbed to their injuries in the hospital. He stated that these occurrences reflect the dire state of public safety in the region.
Lalu’s comments followed Bihar ADG (Headquarters) Kundan Krishnan admitting to a slight uptick in murder incidents during a press conference.
As per police records, Bihar logged a monthly average of 232 murder cases in 2024, which has slightly increased to 233 per month in the initial five months of 2025.
With the Assembly elections approaching later this year, law and order are becoming critical political topics in the state. Opposition figures are increasingly challenging the ruling NDA government on issues of public safety and administrative effectiveness.