Women’s safety a major concern in Bihar: Tejashwi

Patna: RJD working president and leader of opposition Tejashwi Prasad Yadav on Tuesday alleged that crimes against women in Bihar had risen sharply and accused the NDA govt of failing to ensure their safety.

Speaking to reporters, Tejashwi said incidents of rape, gang rape, murder and violence against women were being reported regularly across the state, creating fear and insecurity.

“Not a single day passes, when one or the other incident of sexual violence against a woman is not heard. If you read newspapers daily, the alarming frequency of incidents leaves behind a sense of shiver and benumbing experience,” Tejashwi said.

He claimed nearly 50 incidents of sexual violence had taken place in the last six months, a period during which Bihar saw two NDA governments led first by JD(U) president Nitish Kumar and later by BJP leader Samrat Choudhary.

“It is happening in a state where woman is treated as a symbol of Devi, and festivals are held celebrating women’s divine power during Chhath, Saraswati Puja and Durga Puja,” he said, urging people across political lines to take the issue seriously.

“Whatever one’s political affiliation or ideology, if anybody fails to see the ongoing violence against women and the failure of the CM and his government in checking it, then one can only be deemed as an insensitive person,” Tejashwi added.

He also raised concerns over women’s health and welfare schemes, claiming 65% of women in Bihar were anaemic.

Tejashwi alleged the govt had secured electoral support from Jeevika Didis by promising financial assistance under the Mahila Rojgar Yojana (MRY), but failed to fulfil its commitments.

“The govt should explain as to when it will pay the remaining sum of Rs 2 lakh to women under MRY,” he said.

Targeting the ruling alliance politically, Tejashwi said, “As for now, Nitish Kumar has been finished, and the same Jeevika Didis will undo the future of the BJP.”