Chirag Paswan Says He Is ‘Ashamed’ to Be Part of Bihar Government Over Crimes Against Women

PATNA: Union minister and Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) [LJP (RV)] chief Chirag Paswan has criticised the Bihar government over reported crimes against women and girls, saying he felt “ashamed” to be part of an administration under which such incidents were taking place.

Speaking at a private event on September 26, Paswan referred to reported cases involving minor girls in Jamui, Samastipur and Banka, among other districts. He said the incidents had brought shame to Bihar and called on the government to take stronger action.

Paswan questioned the local police response and called for strict action against officers who failed to perform their duties. He said criminals needed to fear the law.

“There is no fear of the police, and if there would be no fear, what kind of law and order is it? As an alliance partner, you can send me a notice; you can remove me from the government; it makes no difference to me, but I will raise this question,” he said.

Paswan said people were not feeling safe and described the repeated incidents as a serious concern. He said he would not remain silent or simply enjoy the benefits of office while ignoring the issue.

“I will raise questions and demand answers over all these issues,” he said.

The LJP (RV) is a constituent of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government in Bihar, led by Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary. The report said the party has 19 MLAs and five MPs, making it the third-largest party in the state’s ruling coalition after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Janata Dal (United) [JD(U)].

Rohini Acharya, daughter of Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad, responded by asking Paswan to resign from the Union Cabinet if he felt ashamed to be part of the government. In a post on September 27, she accused him of expressing concern in public while continuing to hold office.

The exchange has brought women’s safety, police accountability and law and order into the political debate in Bihar, with an NDA ally criticising the government and the opposition RJD challenging him to act on his criticism.