Chirag Paswan raises concern over rising crime in Bihar, questions police accountability

Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) president and Union Minister Chirag Paswan on Saturday (July 12, 2025) voiced concern over the spate of murders in Bihar, questioning the role and effectiveness of the State police. His remarks, made a day after he reportedly received a death threat via social media, have triggered political sparring among allies and the Opposition.

“How many more Biharis will be murdered? It is beyond understanding what the responsibilities of Bihar police are?” Mr. Paswan posted on social media platform X.

Mr. Paswan, Minister of Food Processing Industries, has repeatedly taken critical positions on issues pertaining to the Nitish Kumar-led National Democratic Alliance government in Bihar, despite his party being part of the ruling alliance at the Centre. He has also announced that his party will contest all 243 seats in the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections.

Reacting to the Minister’s remarks, JD(U) spokesperson Abhishek Jha said, “Everybody in a democracy has the right to express an opinion, but can anyone say which part of the country or world is crime-free? This government takes immediate cognisance of each incident of crime... nobody gets spared.”

Deputy Chief Minister and BJP leader Vijay Kumar Sinha echoed a similar sentiment. “After every incident of crime, the Nitish Kumar-led government in Bihar takes strict action and the criminals are not spared at any cost,” he said.

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However, Opposition Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Mrityunjay Tiwari backed Mr. Paswan’s statement. “Whatever Chirag Paswan ji is saying is true. Every day there are incidents of murders in the State. Like us, he too is raising this issue for the common people,” Mr. Tiwari said.

On July 11, a complaint (No. 1592/2025) was filed by LJP (Ram Vilas) spokesperson Rajesh Bhatt at the cyber crime police station in Patna after a death threat was issued against Mr. Paswan on social media. The threat, allegedly made by an individual using the name Tiger Miraj Idrisi, stated the Minister would be “blown up with a bomb”.

“This shows a criminal tendency and involvement in illegal acts,” the complaint stated.

Following the threat, Jamui MP and Mr. Paswan’s brother-in-law Arun Bharti blamed “criminal elements” within the RJD. “They are afraid of imminent defeat and want to bring back Jungle Raj 2.0 in Bihar,” Mr. Bharti alleged in a post on X. “But Chirag Paswan is the son of a lion! He has never been scared of anyone, nor will he ever be! He will live for Bihar, he will die for Bihar!”

Meanwhile, JD(U) leader and State Information and Public Relations Minister Maheshwar Hazari criticised Mr. Paswan’s repeated public criticisms of the State government, urging him to follow “coalition dharma.”

“It is not right to say one thing on stage and another off stage. While being part of the NDA, he keeps criticising the State government. This is against coalition dharma,” Mr. Hazari said.

He further added, “There is no substitute for Chief Minister Nitish Kumar in the State, nor will there be. Everyone knows who was responsible for JD(U)’s third-place finish in the 2020 Assembly elections, but despite that, Nitish ji became the Chief Minister and continues to serve for five years.”

“This government is working perfectly, and negative statements are being made only to create confusion among the public,” Mr. Hazari asserted.