Patna: Union home minister Amit Shah on Sunday said that rioters would be hung upside down after the BJP formed government in the state in 2025.
Addressing a public meeting at Hisua in Nawada amid communal clashes that erupted in the two towns following Rama Navami processions, he slammed the Nitish Kumar-led grand alliance government over the law and order situation and urged the masses to support the BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.
Shah described his impression of the situation in Sasaram with a rhetorical flourish, claiming “log maare jaa rahe hain (people are being killed)” and “goliyan chal rahi hain (guns are blazing).”
He said he had spoken to the Bihar Governor to take stock of the situation. “Lalan Singh (JD(U) president) is taking exception to that. He should remember I am the home minister of the country. If lawlessness prevails in Bihar, I cannot be a mute spectator,” Shah said.
“Let Prime Minister Narendra Modi return to power in 2024 and help BJP form its own government in the Assembly polls which would follow. All the rioters will be hung upside down ('ulta latka denge'), said the home minister.
Shah also used the occasion to predict a huge win for the BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha and 2025 Bihar Assembly elections.
"People have decided to bring back Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the third term... By seeing people’s enthusiasm, I can say that Modi’s lotus will bloom on all 40 seats in Bihar," the Union minister said.
Shah also slammed Kumar for snapping ties with the BJP and said that his (Nitish Kumar’s) partnership with RJD leader Lalu Yadav’s party “cannot bring peace to Bihar".
"Can they bring peace to Bihar? Mr Kumar is sitting on the lap of Mr Yadav because of his hunger for power. We will reach out to the people and uproot the Mahagathbandhan government in Bihar," he added.
Shah also reiterated that "the doors of the NDA have been shut for Mr Kumar and JD(U) president Lalan Singh" and added: “The BJP can never join hands with Nitish Kumar, who spreads venom of casteism, and 'Jungle Raj' pioneer Lalu Prasad.”
He said that Kumar was living under false hopes. “One wants to become the PM and the other is aspiring to be the CM of Bihar. But Mr Kumar’s PM dreams will never come true," Shah said.
The Union home minister landed in Patna on Saturday on a two-day trip to Bihar, his fourth visit to the state since the JD(U) snapped ties with the BJP in August 2022. Besides his meeting with party leaders in Patna, he was scheduled to attend the birth anniversary celebrations of Emperor Ashok at Sasaram but the event was cancelled due to large-scale violence and arson there.
During his Nawada public meeting, Mr Shah said, "Unfortunately, I could not visit Sasaram. Bullets are being fired and people are being killed. I will visit Sasaram during my next visit to Bihar."
The BJP said Section 144 CrPC was imposed in Sasaram but the the administration in Rohtas district, where the town is located, claimed no prohibitory orders were clamped. Showcause notices were issued to police personnel who were caught on camera telling people to stay indoors since
ASection 144 was in force.
Ahead of his Nawada rally, the Union home minister also spoke to Bihar governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar to discuss the law and order situation in Nalanda and Rohtas district’s Sasaram.
According to reports, after taking stock of the situation, Mr Shah directed the officials to send additional paramilitary forces to assist the state administration in handling the situation in the affected districts.
One person was reportedly killed in the fresh round of violence that erupted in Bihar Sharif. Concerned over the communal clashes in the state, the chief minister on Sunday called a high-level meeting with his officials.
According to a statement released by the chief minister’s office (CMO), "The state government has announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakhs for the family members of the youth killed in Bihar Sharif during communal clashes."
The CMO statement said that Mr Kumar spoke with the bereaved family and assured them of all administrative support. He also directed the officials to identify the culprits and step up security and patrolling in the affected areas.
This comes a day after Mr Kumar termed the violence in Sasaram and Bihar Sharif "a well-planned conspiracy to defame his government". He had also assured "action against people involved in arson and violence following Ram Navami festivities".
However, after fresh rounds of violence were reported from Sasaram and Bihar Sharif, the Opposition BJP blamed Mr Kumar and the grand alliance government for their "failure in controlling the law and order situation in Bihar".
"Mr Singh of the JD(U) got offended when I called the governor to discuss law and order. He raised questions and asked why I was bothered about Bihar. I am the home minister and law and maintaining law and order is my concern. I pray that normalcy returns soon in Bihar," Mr Shah said.
After violence erupted on Saturday, the state administration imposed prohibitory orders under Section 144 in Bihar Sharif.
More than 77 persons have been arrested by the police in Bihar Sharif so far. According to a statement by the police, "Patrolling has been stepped up and senior officials are camping in the affected areas. The situation in the state is normal and under control."
