Patna, January 18, 2026:
Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader and former Bihar deputy chief minister Tejashwi Yadav on Sunday launched a sharp attack on the Nitish Kumar-led government, accusing it of patronising criminals and displaying insensitivity towards crimes against women. His remarks came amid growing outrage over the death of a young NEET aspirant in Patna and a series of recent cases involving sexual violence across the state.

In a strongly worded post on X, Tejashwi alleged that the law-and-order situation in Bihar had collapsed and that the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government was functioning as a “tool” for criminals and corrupt elements. He claimed the state administration had failed to respond meaningfully to repeated incidents of violence against women and girls, while the chief minister himself had remained conspicuously silent.

“The machine-made double-engine NDA government in Bihar has become a tool for corrupt individuals, criminals, and rapists,” Tejashwi wrote. “The insensitive Nitish Kumar government, formed through vote-buying, is perpetrating atrocities on girls, female students, daughters, and women across the state.”

Referring to what he described as a complete breakdown of governance, the RJD leader said that the “funeral procession of Bihar’s law and order” had already taken place. He accused those in power of maintaining a calculated silence over what he called “spine-chilling incidents,” while projecting themselves as morally upright.

Tejashwi cited several recent cases to underline his criticism, including the alleged gang rape and murder of a widow in Madhepura, the rape and killing of a four-year-old girl in Khagaria, and the death of a NEET aspirant in Patna, which her family has alleged was the result of sexual assault. “These incidents show how this government has become ruthless and cruel,” he said.

The former deputy chief minister also accused the administration of suppressing dissent instead of addressing public anger. “When people protest against the government and the police, demonstrators are beaten up and sent to jail,” he alleged. According to Tejashwi, the state machinery appears more focused on silencing critics than on delivering justice.

In another pointed remark, he claimed that criminals and rapists were treated as “guests” by the government, while ordinary citizens, including journalists, were ignored. “Even media professionals might not recall when the chief minister last engaged in dialogue with them,” he said, adding that atrocities and exploitation were increasing “day by day” under what he described as a “machinery-driven government.”

The political attack comes against the backdrop of heightened scrutiny over the death of a young woman preparing for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) in Patna. The student was found unconscious earlier this month in her hostel room in the Chitragupt Nagar area of the city. She was rushed to a private hospital, where she remained in a coma for several days before succumbing on January 11.

The victim’s family has alleged that she was sexually assaulted and accused the authorities of attempting to cover up the incident. Their claims have intensified demands for an independent and transparent investigation, with opposition leaders and activists questioning the handling of the case by local police.

Adding to the pressure on the state government, independent Lok Sabha MP from Purnea, Rajesh Ranjan alias Pappu Yadav, has demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the NEET aspirant’s death. On Saturday, he wrote a letter to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, urging central intervention and alleging that the truth would not come out without an independent agency probing the case.

While the Bihar government and police have yet to issue a detailed response to Tejashwi’s allegations, officials have previously maintained that investigations into recent crimes are ongoing and that action will be taken based on evidence. However, the opposition has argued that assurances alone are no longer sufficient, given the pattern of incidents being reported.

Tejashwi’s remarks signal that issues of women’s safety and law and order are likely to dominate Bihar’s political discourse in the coming weeks. With opposition parties stepping up their criticism and demands for central probes gaining traction, the pressure on the Nitish Kumar government is expected to intensify, particularly as public anger continues to mount over crimes that have shocked the state.