The Bihar Assembly faced protests during the Budget Session’s fifth day, with opposition parties voicing concerns about a minor girl’s rape and murder in Darbhanga, a NEET aspirant’s suspicious death, and the arrest of Purnea MP Rajesh Ranjan alias Pappu Yadav. Congress MLA Abhishek Ranjan showed support for Pappu Yadav by wearing a T-shirt with a slogan and declaring solidarity with him at the Assembly.
Congress MLA Kamrul Hoda criticized the Nitish Kumar-led government, accusing it of functioning like a monarchy rather than a democracy. He alleged that Pappu Yadav was being targeted for questioning the NEET aspirant’s death. Amid slogans and heated exchanges, the Assembly witnessed escalating political tensions over recent criminal incidents, raising doubts about justice delivery versus political interests.
The rape and murder of a six-year-old girl in Darbhanga’s Bela locality have deeply shocked Bihar, leading to widespread outrage. A local youth, Vikas Mahto, has been arrested in connection with the incident, with police claiming to have found bloodstains on his clothes. The opposition has criticized the government for failing to maintain law and order and ensure child safety, using this incident as an example.
The suspicious death of a NEET aspirant from Jehanabad at a Patna hostel has added to the unrest. Despite investigations by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) and the CBI, the victim’s family remains dissatisfied. The parents are protesting in Delhi, demanding a judicial probe supervised by a Supreme Court or High Court judge, expressing loss of faith in both the Bihar government and the CBI.
Pappu Yadav, known for questioning the NEET case handling, was arrested in a 31-year-old case, sparking allegations of political vendetta. The opposition views his arrest as politically motivated, echoing Yadav’s claims of retaliation for challenging the government. His arrest has fueled more protests inside and outside the Assembly, with Bihar grappling with issues of justice, accountability, and governance, drawing public scrutiny on the government’s actions.
