Has ‘jungle raj’ come back in Bihar? This is the question everybody has been asking after watching the disturbing video showing state ADM (Law & Order), KK Singh thrashing a protester blue and black. The boy who along with others participated in a protest by CTET and BTET qualified candidates demanding 7th phase teacher’s recruitment at Dakbangla intersection in Patna. The visuals are enough to explain situation in Bihar.

The social media has been abuzz condemning the Janata Dal (United) -Rashtriya Janata Dal alliance government.

JD(U)-RJD alliance has exposed itself on Monday. This incident is a warning to the protesters so that they will not raise their head. Somebody should tell the ‘Mahagathbandhan’ (grand alliance) that dreams of coming to power in 2024 to be little constraints as such inhuman activities will not be tolerated. Nitish Kumar has perhaps forgotten that Assembly elections are due and if this remains the attitude of his government then people will take no time to kick out the alliance government in the state. However, whether it will come to power or not in the state is still vague as RJD regime was the dark phase in Bihar as ther was no social security and safety of locals. Abductions, murders, rapes, gang-rapes, extortion bid were at rampant.

The barbaric act was condemned by opposition and Congress that is one of the alliance members in the ‘Mahagathbandhan’.

The Bihar BJP condemned the incident in a Twitter post, “Is this government blind, which uses lathis on Tiranga (tricolour)? Is this government deaf, those who fire cartridges are given pens.” It further said, that “while it is a hobby for some, fun for another but for the public it is helplessness.”

State Congress spokesman Asit Nath Tiwari, whose party is an ally of the ruling coalition, issued a strongly worded statement condemning the episode. “The official is K K Singh, an additional district magistrate with a reputation of high-handedness. During the Covid epidemic, he had commanded citizens to produce videos of themselves beating utensils failing which their applications will not be considered,” Tiwari alleged.

Former Chief Minister Tarkishore Prasad slammed the ruling Mahagathbanthan government and asked authorities to take strict action against the ADM.

Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav said, the lathi charge was done to control students during a protest march. However, he condemned the incident of thrashing and said, “such behaviour by any anybody is not acceptable, An enquiry committee has been formed to look into the barbaric incident. Strict action will be taken against the him (ADM) if found guilty”. The opposition has questioned Yadav’s saying “if found guilty” as the visuals are enough to explain.

Meanwhile, Patna District Magistrate said the administration has set up a two-member inquiry committee to look into the allegations and examine the video footage. The committee will submit its report in two days and action may be taken accordingly, he said.