Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader and Bihar's Leader of the Opposition Tejashwi Yadav on Wednesday, 14 October demanded a high-level investigation into the boat capsize in the Raghopur area of Vaishali district, which reportedly claimed the lives of at least 13 people, including children. The tragedy occurred when a boat carrying an estimated 15 to 20 passengers — reportedly travelling to attend a feast — capsized in the Ganga river. Most of the victims were said to be children.

What Tejashwi Yadav Said

Speaking to reporters, Tejashwi Yadav said he had received information about the incident the previous night and had remained in contact with officials and party workers since then. 'I received information about the incident last night. It is an extremely tragic incident, and a high-level investigation should be conducted. A large number of innocent children have died after the boat capsized. I have been in touch with officials and party workers since last night and have also sent our people there,' he stated.

Yadav added that he was travelling to Patna and would subsequently visit the affected families in Raghopur in person.

Government Boat Allegation Raises Stakes

Yadav flagged reports indicating that the ill-fated boat may have been provided by the government, calling this detail particularly serious and grounds for an impartial probe to identify any administrative lapses. If verified, such reports would raise accountability questions for the ruling dispensation in the state.

He also called on the Bihar government to provide special financial assistance to the victims' families, going beyond the standard ₹4 lakh relief. 'The government should provide them with special assistance. Such a major tragedy has occurred,' he said.

CM Samrat Choudhary Criticised for Absence

Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary came in for sharp criticism from Yadav, who pointed out that Choudhary was reportedly in the vicinity at the time of the tragedy but did not visit the affected families to offer condolences. 'Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary was nearby. He should have visited the affected families, met them and offered his condolences,' Yadav said. The criticism is likely to intensify political pressure on the state government as rescue operations continue.

Rescue Operations Under Way

Following the incident, state officials were deployed to the site and teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) were pressed into service to assist with rescue and relief operations. The full scale of the tragedy — including whether any passengers remain unaccounted for — had not been officially confirmed at the time of reporting.

Yadav Also Slams BJP Over CJP Activists' Custody

Separately, Yadav reacted to the arrest and five-day judicial custody of CJP leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, accusing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of attempting to suppress democratic rights. 'The BJP is trying to crush democracy. This is our country, and we have the right to hoist the national flag anywhere. Why is there an objection to it?' he said, adding that he would continue to fight to reclaim Jantar Mantar, which he described as a site of historical significance. Critics have called the arrests a move to discredit a political movement; the BJP has not responded publicly to these specific remarks.

With the death toll reportedly at 13 and NDRF teams still engaged in the Vaishali district, the political and humanitarian fallout from the Ganga boat capsize is expected to dominate Bihar's public discourse in the coming days.