In Bihar, every time, after a serious crime against a woman or girl, when the law-and-order situation is questioned, the political response seems almost predetermined. The ruling NDA alliance points towards the erstwhile RJD (Rashtriya Janata Dal) chief ministers Lalu Yadav-Rabri Devi years and reminds people of ‘Jungle Raj’. The Opposition points towards the present government and declares that law and order has collapsed. Between these competing narratives, the victim risks becoming little more than political ammunition.
That argument may have electoral resonance, but it does not answer the question confronting the government today. The responsibility for maintaining law and order today rests with the present government. That does not automatically prove that Bihar has become more dangerous in every respect. Crime statistics are influenced by reporting, registration practices, population and other factors. But the sustained increase in registered cases is certainly a reason for the government to ask difficult questions rather than simply celebrate its record. There is nothing elegant or decent about vigilante behaviour towards minors. We are not under Taliban rule. It does not behove a female, educated minister like Shreyasi Singh to give a lame and indefensible statement to water down the crime in her constituency. Tejashwi Yadav has attacked the government sharply over the Jamui episode and demanded accountability from Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary. Holding the government accountable is an essential function of the Opposition. But political allegations, especially those involving claims of caste or political manipulation of an investigation, should be supported by evidence rather than speculation. The state needs a political consensus that some subjects cannot be reduced to partisan score-settling. The Chief Minister should demand accountability from the administration. The Opposition should scrutinise the government without exploiting victims. Ministers should choose their words with extraordinary care. Police should investigate without fear or favour. And political leaders across parties should make one message unmistakable – the victim is not responsible; vigilantism is not acceptable and perpetrators will face the law.
Janata Dal (United) state president Umesh Kushwaha brushed aside the dreadful crime as an ‘isolated’ or ‘minor’ incident and asked people to remember what Bihar was like before 2005, when the RJD was in power.
