Thursday, December 25, 2025

Over two-thirds of Bihar’s sitting MLAs have serious criminal charges against them

By
Vibha Sharma
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According to the ADR, a staggering 158 MLAs (66%) have declared criminal cases against themselves. More alarmingly, 119 MLAs (49%) face serious criminal charges, including murder, attempted murder, and crimes against women.

Image courtesy ADR

It is a story of India’s fraying democratic fabric. A new report by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and Bihar Election Watch has laid bare some disturbing criminal and financial details about Bihar’s sitting MLAs, highlighting a political system where crime, wealth, and power go hand in hand.

Consider this: Out of 241 sitting MLAs analysed from Bihar’s 243-member Assembly, a staggering 158 MLAs (66%) have declared criminal cases against themselves. More alarmingly, 119 MLAs (49%) face serious criminal charges, including murder, attempted murder, and crimes against women.

Of the 241 sitting MLAs whose affidavits were analysed, 66% have criminal cases filed against them. That’s two out of every three lawmakers. And these are not just minor run-ins with the law. Nearly half of them (49%) are facing serious charges, including murder, attempted murder, and crimes against women. Think about that — the people responsible for making the laws are, in many cases, accused of breaking the most serious ones.

Sixteen MLAs have declared murder charges under IPC Section 302. Thirty more are facing charges for attempted murder. Eight are charged with crimes against women. Apparently it is not an aberration, it is a norm.

Across party lines

No single political party can claim moral high ground here. Every major party in Bihar is steeped in this pattern of criminality.

•         BJP: 64% of its MLAs face criminal cases; nearly half face serious charges.

•         RJD: 74% with criminal cases; 60% with serious ones.

•         JD(U): 45% criminal cases, 28% serious.

•         Congress: 82% of its MLAs have criminal records.

•         Smaller parties like CPI, CPI(M), and AIMIM? In some cases, 100% of their MLAs have criminal cases.

Image courtesy ADR

And then, there’s money

Bihar is said to be a poor state but in the Assembly, the rich don’t just run the show — they own it. Out of the 241 MLAs, 194 are crorepatis—that’s 80%. And the average wealth per MLA—a cool Rs. 4.65 crore.

The total assets of 241 sitting MLAs are Rs. 1121.61 Crores.

Party-wise as many as 72 (87%) out of 83 MLAs from BJP, 63 (88%) out of 72 MLAs from RJD, 39 (83%) out of 47 MLAs from JD(U), 13 (76%) out of 17 MLAs from INC,  2 (50%) out of 4 MLAs from Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular), 1 (50%) out of 2 MLAs from CPI(M), 1 (50%) out of 2 MLAs from CPI, 1 (9%) out of 11 MLAs from CPI(ML)(L) and 2 (100%) out of 2 Independent MLAs have declared assets valued more than Rs 1 crore.

Here’s how it looks party by party:

•         JD(U) tops the wealth chart with an average of Rs. 7.08 crore per MLA

•         RJD follows with Rs. 5.21 crore

•         Congress: Rs. 5.57 crore

•         BJP: Rs. 3.51 crore

Even independent MLAs are crorepatis — both of them.

The message is clear: to get elected in Bihar, you either need deep pockets, a criminal network, or both.

The question is when lawmakers walk into the Assembly hall with murder charges pending and crores in their bank accounts, what kind of governance can people expect? And the issue is that it is not just Bihar, the pattern repeats across many Indian states.

Recurring tragedies, forgotten lessons—the human cost of negligence

By
Vibha Sharma
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NHRC takes Suo Motu cognizance of hoarding collapse in Ahmedabad

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken suo motu cognizance of media reports regarding the death of two workers and critical injuries to another following the collapse of an advertising hoarding in Ahmedabad in September 2025.

According to the reports, the incident occurred when a large hoarding collapsed from the roof of a seven-storey residential building in the Bopal area. Approximately 15 labourers were installing the hoarding, about 80 feet above ground level, when the structure gave way. Ten workers fell during the collapse—two lost their lives, one was grievously injured, and seven others sustained minor injuries. The Commission observed that, if true, the media reports point to a serious violation of human rights. It has issued notices to the Chief Secretary of the Government of Gujarat and the Commissioner of Police, Ahmedabad, requesting a detailed report on the matter within two weeks.

Initial reports suggest the labourers were working without proper safety harnesses or structural support. This raises significant concerns about the enforcement of safety protocols and regulatory oversight in outdoor advertising and construction activities in the city. The hoarding was installed atop a residential building, prompting questions about whether the necessary permissions had been obtained for its commercial use.

In response to public outcry and media scrutiny, the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation reportedly launched a detailed investigation and directed officials to submit a comprehensive report within two weeks.

This is not the first time a hoarding-related accident has happened in India. Earlier, in May 2024, a major tragedy unfolded in Mumbai’s Ghatkopar area, where a massive illegal billboard collapsed during a dust storm and rainfall. The structure—approximately 100 feet tall and 120×120 feet in size—fell on a petrol pump near the Eastern Express Highway.

The collapse resulted in at least 17 deaths and injuries to more than 70 individuals. The hoarding, later confirmed to be illegally installed without permissions from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), had grossly exceeded the permissible size and structural safety limits. Eyewitnesses described the collapse as sudden and deafening, leaving little time for anyone nearby to react. Several vehicles were crushed, and the petrol station roof was severely damaged.

Among the deceased were petrol pump employees and commuters caught in the devastation. In the aftermath, the BMC ordered a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe, while local residents and political leaders demanded accountability for the oversight and negligence that led to the disaster.

The incidents have reignited conversations on urban safety, illegal constructions, labour rights, and the unregulated commercialization of public spaces in India’s rapidly growing cities, underscoring the need for stricter enforcement of building codes, labour protection laws, and regulations to prevent further tragedies.

Legal woes hit Lalu clan, will they affect RJD’s prospects in Bihar polls

By
Vibha Sharma
-

Lalu Yadav’s legal troubles are likely to be a key talking point, but they are unlikely to single-handedly determine the electoral fortunes of the party, RJD will also cry political witch-hunting, say observers

A Delhi Court on Monday framed charges against former Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav, former Bihar Chief Minister Rabri Devi, their son and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, and others in connection with alleged corruption in the allotment of maintenance contracts for two IRCTC hotels in Ranchi and Puri. All accused face charges under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including criminal conspiracy, with Rabri Devi and Tejashwi Yadav specifically charged under Sections 420 and 120B for cheating and conspiracy, according to reports.

Lalu Yadav reportedly pleaded not guilty and said he would face the trial. The accused appeared in person before Special Judge Vishal Gogne, who pronounced the order on October 13, following a September 24 directive requiring all 14 accused to be present.

The case relates to alleged irregularities during Lalu’s tenure as Railway Minister between 2004 and 2009. The CBI claims that maintenance contracts for IRCTC’s BNR hotels in Ranchi and Puri were improperly awarded to Sujata Hotel, a private firm owned by Vijay and Vinay Kochar, and alleges that Lalu Yadav received three acres of prime land through a benami company in return. The agency had lodged an FIR in July 2017 and conducted raids at multiple locations linked to Lalu and his family.

Special Public Prosecutor D.P. Singh, representing the CBI, reportedly called it clear evidence of corruption and conspiracy, while Lalu Yadav’s defense maintained that there was insufficient material to frame charges and sought his discharge.

With the Bihar assembly elections around the corner, this legal development has significant political ramifications for the RJD with rivals BJP and JD (U) making the most of it. However, the party’s core voter base, particularly among Yadavs and Muslims, are expected to continue to support the Yadav family due to long-standing loyalty, viewing the charges as politically motivated. This could generate a sympathy wave for the RJD.

But the case does provide political ammo to BJP and JD(U), to question the RJD’s governance record and highlight alleged corruption, potentially influencing swing voters and urban constituencies. The RJD may now have to pull extra to defending its leaders’ image, possibly affecting its ability to campaign effectively on development and local issues. Coalition dynamics could also be impacted, as allies weigh individual risks.

However, while the framing of charges is a reputational challenge, the outcome of Bihar’s elections will hinge on multiple factors—caste dynamics, local development concerns, and the RJD’s ability to manage the narrative. “Lalu Yadav’s legal troubles are likely to be a key talking point, but they are unlikely to single-handedly determine the electoral fortunes of the party,” say observers

Decoding Durand Line—the recurring source of clashes between Pakistan, Afghanistan

By
Vibha Sharma
-

Border clashes between Pakistan and Afghanistan over the Durand Line have happened repeatedly over the decades. The current violence is part of a long, cyclical pattern of mistrust and armed incidents rooted in the disputed border and the presence of militant groups operating in the frontier region.

Photo: courtesy social media

Heavy clashes between Pakistani and Afghan forces have erupted along the volatile frontier, reviving decades-old hostilities rooted in the unresolved Durand Line dispute. The latest fighting, which intensified over the weekend, has led to the closure of key crossings and left dozens reportedly dead on both sides, deepening fears of a wider regional crisis, according to reports. The ongoing border clashes have several direct and indirect implications for India, both strategically and economically

The Pakistan side claimed that the clashes began after militant groups based inside Afghanistan launched attacks on border posts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. Islamabad and accused the Taliban government of sheltering the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP)—a banned militant outfit responsible for a string of deadly attacks within Pakistan. In response, Pakistani forces reportedly carried out heavy artillery and limited air strikes targeting militant hideouts across the border.

Kabul, however, accused Pakistan of violating Afghan sovereignty, claiming that several strikes have hit civilian areas. The Taliban government also warned Islamabad against “provocative aggression,” asserting that Afghan forces will respond firmly to any further incursions.

The escalating tension has forced the closure of major crossings, disrupting trade and daily movement of people who depend on cross-border travel for livelihood and family connections.

At the heart of this recurring friction lies the Durand Line — a 2,640-kilometre border drawn in 1893 by Sir Mortimer Durand, the British Foreign Secretary of India, after negotiations with Amir Abdur Rahman Khan, the ruler of Afghanistan. The agreement was meant to demarcate the spheres of influence between British India and Afghanistan, serving as a buffer against Russian expansion during the so-called “Great Game.”

However, the line cut through tribal Pashtun and Baloch territories, dividing families and ethnic communities that had lived together for centuries. After the partition of India in 1947, Pakistan inherited the border and considers it an internationally recognized frontier. Successive Afghan governments — including the Taliban regime — have refused to formally accept it, calling it an artificial colonial boundary imposed without Afghan consent.

‘Gaza war over,’ says Trump; as Hamas, Israel prepare for hostage-prisoner exchange, what next

By
Vibha Sharma
-

US President Donald Trump on Sunday declared that the Gaza war is over as Israel prepares for the release of all remaining hostages. Trump is set to visit Israel and Egypt on Monday to mark the ceasefire that ended the two-year-long conflict. “The war is over,” he told reporters before his departure, expressing hope that the ceasefire would hold and saying he would be “proud” to visit Gaza.

Following the release of the living hostages, Israel plans to free about 2,000 Palestinian prisoners in exchange and recover the remains of 28 others believed to have died in captivity. An international task force will begin searching for the bodies of hostages still unaccounted for within 72 hours, a process that may take time due to the extensive destruction in Gaza.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called Monday a “path of healing,” though he continues to face criticism from Israelis who accuse him of prolonging the war for political reasons—an allegation he denies. Hamas is reportedly pushing for the release of Marwan Barghouti, a popular Palestinian leader seen as a potential unifying figure, along with others serving life sentences.

Trump, who played a key role in brokering the ceasefire, will meet families of Israeli hostages and address the Knesset, Israel’s parliament. He will then travel to Egypt, where he and President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi will co-chair a “peace summit” alongside regional and global leaders. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas is also expected to attend.

But has the issue been fully resolved, the answer is no. What’s happening now is a temporary ceasefire and a hostage-prisoner exchange deal, but many of the deeper, structural questions remain unsettled. Despite celebrations, uncertainty lingers over Gaza’s future governance and Hamas’s fate, including questions about disarmament and reconstruction.

Trump’s plan has sparked cautious optimism but faces major hurdles. Israel’s agreement to begin implementing the first stage signals willingness under U.S. pressure. Hamas’s partial acceptance—offering to release hostages and transfer power—suggests negotiations are possible.

However, core issues remain unresolved. Hamas has not agreed to disarm, and several aspects of the deal require broader Palestinian consensus, risking delays. Palestinians may also view the plan as favouring Israel and failing to offer a path to statehood or Gaza–West Bank reunification.

“Netanyahu’s agreement to implement the first stage shows Israel is open to the plan, likely under U.S. pressure,” says an analyst, following the developments. “But Hamas’s refusal to disarm and the lack of unified Palestinian leadership complicate implementation. Years of broken ceasefires have eroded trust. A simultaneous hostage release and troop withdrawal would require tight coordination—logistically and politically challenging.”

According to reports, as Israeli forces withdraw Palestinians have begun returning to their devastated homes. The war displaced nearly 90% of its 2 million residents and left Gaza in ruins.The conflict began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas militants launched a surprise attack on southern Israel, killing about 1,200 people and taking 250 hostages. Israel’s subsequent offensive has killed over 67,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. Roughly half of the victims are said to be women and children.

Sonia Gandhi condoles IPS officer’s death, slams discrimination; BJP in a Catch-22

By
Vibha Sharma
-

Though the incident occurred in Haryana, the issue of caste-based injustice is resonating strongly in Bihar’s political landscape, emerging as a potential flashpoint in upcoming election campaigns

Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi has expressed deep grief over the death by suicide of Haryana IPS officer Y. Puran Kumar, calling the incident “shocking” and “deeply painful.” In a strongly worded condolence letter to his wife, senior IAS officer Amneet P. Kumar Gandhi highlighted the systemic issues underlying the tragedy, subtly attributing blame to governance failures in BJP-ruled states like Haryana and Bihar.

“The untimely and tragic passing of Mr. Y. Puran Kumar reveals a harsh truth — that even officers at the highest ranks are not spared from social injustice, discrimination, and the deeply entrenched biases of those in power,” Gandhi wrote, adding “crores of Indians stand with you in your fight for justice.”

Sources within the Congress party say the leadership is preparing to raise the issue further, citing a troubling pattern of administrative indifference and institutional discrimination. The party is expected to link this incident to broader systemic failures in BJP-ruled Bihar and Haryana, aiming to portray it as symptomatic of deeper social rot under current state leaderships.

Four days after the senior IPS officer was found dead with a gunshot wound at his Chandigarh residence, his body was reportedly moved to the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), where a medical board is likely to conduct the post-mortem.

The family wants that officers named in the deceased’s suicide note be formally included as suspects in the FIR, and that appropriate legal action be initiated against them. Chandigarh DGP Sagar Preet Hooda reportedly visited Amneet to obtain consent and offer assurances. The ruling BJP also dispatched Cabinet Minister Krishan Bedi and senior officers to hold discussions with the grieving family.

While the death occurred in Haryana, its reverberations are being strongly felt in Bihar. Caste injustice remains a politically volatile issue in the state, and opposition parties are likely to capitalise on the situation. If they succeed in sustaining the narrative and mobilising Dalit communities, the Nayab Singh Saini government’s handling of the case could influence electoral outcomes in caste-sensitive constituencies.

Timing will be crucial — particularly if the investigation is seen as delayed or lacking credibility.

The alleged suicide of Y. Puran Kumar — a senior officer from the 2001 IPS batch — has the potential to resonate far beyond the boundaries of Chandigarh and Haryana. His nine-page “final note” reportedly details caste-based harassment, systemic discrimination, and repeated public humiliation — all contributing to his mental distress. These claims have touched a raw nerve, particularly with Bihar heading into elections.

Bihar’s entrenched caste dynamics make it highly sensitive to such incidents. Dalits constitute approximately 16% of the state’s population and frequently play a decisive role in close electoral contests. Puran Kumar was seen as a symbol of success from a marginalized community. His death — and the circumstances around it — are being cited by BJP rivals as evidence that even those who rise through merit are not spared from casteist oppression.

The Congress has called the incident a reflection of the BJP’s “Manuvadi” mindset. In Bihar, where the Congress is allied with the RJD under the INDIA bloc, the tragedy aligns with their long standing narrative around social justice. RJD leaders are also expected to use the issue to consolidate Dalit and backward caste votes.

In response to the suicide note, the Chandigarh Police have registered an FIR against the named individuals, invoking charges of abetment to suicide and provisions of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. The National Commission for Scheduled Castes has taken suo motu cognisance and demanded an action-taken report from the Haryana Chief Secretary within a week.

Amneet P. Kumar, the officer’s widow, has lodged a formal complaint with Chandigarh Police, seeking an FIR against DGP Kapur and Rohtak SP Narendra Bijarnia. She has demanded their arrest under BNS Section 108 (abetment to suicide) and relevant sections of the SC/ST Act.

“This is not a case of ordinary suicide, but the direct result of systematic persecution of an honest officer from a Scheduled Caste community by powerful superiors,” the complaint reads. “Justice must not only be done but must be seen to be done — even for families like ours, shattered by the cruelty of the powerful.”

“Men journalists should have walked out”, opposition slams Government over exclusion of women journalists from Afghan press conference

By
Vibha Sharma
-

The Taliban government in Kabul has faced sustained global condemnation, including from the United Nations, for its curbs on women’s rights, education, and participation in public life

Photo: courtesy MEA

A press conference by Afghan foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi in New Delhi on Friday drew attention for all the wrong issues —women journalists reportedly asked to stay away from the event after talks with external affairs minister S Jaishankar. According to those familiar with the development the decision was taken by Taliban officials accompanying Muttaqi. Apparently, the Indian side suggested that women reporters should also be included among the invitees but it was not accepted.

Former Home Minister P Chidambaram expressed shock saying “men journalists should have walked out when they found that their women colleagues were excluded”. “I am shocked that women journalists were excluded from the press conference addressed by Mr Amir Khan Muttaqi of Afghanistan In my personal view, the men journalists should have walked out when they found that their women colleagues were excluded (or not invited),” Chidambaram wrote on X.

Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra sought Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s position on the issue. “Prime Minister @narendramodi ji, please clarify your position on the removal of female journalists from the press conference of the representative of the Taliban on his visit to India. If your recognition of women’s rights isn’t just convenient posturing from one election to the other, then how has this insult to some of India’s most competent women been allowed in our country, a country whose women are its backbone and its pride,” she wrote on X.

TMC MP Mahua Moitra accused the BJP-led government of “dishonouring” “every single Indian woman by allowing Taliban minister to exclude women journalists from presser. Shameful bunch of spineless hypocrites.”

Photo: courtesy UN

The Taliban government in Kabul has faced sustained global condemnation, including from the United Nations, for its curbs on women’s rights, education, and participation in public life. When asked about the condition of women in Afghanistan, Muttaqi sidestepped the question. Instead, he maintained that each country had its own systems and values that should be respected. “Every country has its own customs, laws and principles, and works according to those. It is not correct that people are not given their rights. If people were not happy with the system and the laws, why has peace returned?” he was quoted as saying

The UN mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) in May 2025 again reported severe restrictions on women and girls under Taliban rule since their takeover in August 2021.

Women are being denied jobs, access to services without male guardians, and girls remain barred from education. UNAMA documented public floggings, shrinking civic freedoms, and violence against former officials. Women-led beauty salons and radio stations have been shut down, while shopkeepers in Kandahar were told to refuse service to unaccompanied women. In hospitals, unaccompanied female patients were reportedly denied treatment, it said

The Taliban have intensified media censorship, corporal punishment, and religious persecution. In Badakhshan, at least 50 Ismaili men were forcibly converted to Sunni Islam under threat, and over 180 people, including women and girls, were flogged publicly for adultery or homosexuality, according to the UN mission

“Despite global condemnation, Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid insisted women’s rights are protected under Sharia and Afghan traditions. The International Criminal Court in January issued arrest warrants for Taliban leader Haibatullah Akhundzada and Chief Justice Abdul Hakim Haqqan for gender persecution, a crime against humanity. The Taliban dismissed the ruling, citing national sovereignty and religious law,” the UNAMA said calling for urgent international action to restore Afghan women’s rights and end systematic oppression

And the Nobel goes to, not Trump but Venezuela’s Maria Corina Machado

By
Vibha Sharma
-

“Maria Corina Machado meets all three criteria stated in Alfred Nobel’s will for the selection of a Peace Prize laureate. She has brought her country’s opposition together. She has never wavered in resisting the militarisation of Venezuelan society. She has been steadfast in her support for a peaceful transition to democracy“

Photo: courtesy social media

Venezuelan opposition leader and activist María Corina Machado has been awarded the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize for her unwavering fight against authoritarianism and courageous defence of democracy. Called Venezuela’s “Iron Lady,” Machado remained in hiding for over 14 months after rejecting the results of a widely disputed election declared in favour of President Nicolás Maduro.

According to a statement by Norwegian Nobel Committee, “the Nobel Peace Prize for 2025 goes to a brave and committed champion of peace – to a woman who keeps the flame of democracy burning amid a growing darkness. She is receiving the Nobel Peace Prize for her tireless work promoting democratic rights for the people of Venezuela and for her struggle to achieve a just and peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy. As the leader of the democracy movement in Venezuela, Maria Corina Machado is one of the most extraordinary examples of civilian courage in Latin America in recent times.”

“In its long history, the Norwegian Nobel Committee has honoured brave women and men who have stood up to repression, who have carried the hope of freedom in prison cells, on the streets and in public squares, and who have shown by their actions that peaceful resistance can change the world. In the past year, Ms Machado has been forced to live in hiding. Despite serious threats against her life she has remained in the country, a choice that has inspired millions of people.

“When authoritarians seize power, it is crucial to recognise courageous defenders of freedom who rise and resist. Democracy depends on people who refuse to stay silent, who dare to step forward despite grave risk, and who remind us that freedom must never be taken for granted, but must always be defended – with words, with courage and with determination.

“Maria Corina Machado meets all three criteria stated in Alfred Nobel’s will for the selection of a Peace Prize laureate. She has brought her country’s opposition together. She has never wavered in resisting the militarisation of Venezuelan society. She has been steadfast in her support for a peaceful transition to democracy.

“Maria Corina Machado has shown that the tools of democracy are also the tools of peace. She embodies the hope of a different future, one where the fundamental rights of citizens are protected, and their voices are heard. In this future, people will finally be free to live in peace,” it said.

The committee’s focus on Venezuela in a year dominated by US President Donald Trump’s repeated public statements that he deserves the Nobel Peace Prize is significant. 

According to the statement, “Venezuela has evolved from a relatively democratic and prosperous country to a brutal, authoritarian state that is now suffering a humanitarian and economic crisis. Most Venezuelans live in deep poverty, even as the few at the top enrich themselves. The violent machinery of the state is directed against the country’s own citizens. Nearly 8 million people have left the country. The opposition has been systematically suppressed by means of election rigging, legal prosecution and imprisonment.”

Meanwhile, according to reports, Norwegian politicians are now bracing for potential diplomatic repercussions in U.S.-Norway relations.

Notably, the Norwegian Nobel Committee on Thursday was quoted as saying that it had already made its decision on the 2025 Peace Prize laureate several days before Israel and Hamas agreed to a ceasefire under a U.S.-brokered peace plan led by Trump.

Rather, the majority of Nobel experts and observers had called it “highly unlikely” that Trump would be awarded the prize—particularly given the current political situation in the United States. It is important to note that the Nobel Committee is an independent body, and the Norwegian government has no role in selecting laureates. “If Trump were to win, it would be one of the biggest surprises in the history of the Nobel Prize,” some analysts also said.

Trump has repeatedly claimed that he deserves the Peace Prize—an honour previously awarded to former U.S. President Barack Obama in 2009 for his “extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples.”

“He got a prize for doing nothing… He got elected, and they gave it to Obama for doing absolutely nothing but destroying our country… Obama was not a good president,” Trump was quoted as saying on Thursday, during an appearance with the Prime Minister of Finland following the U.S.-brokered ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas.

In July, Trump reportedly contacted Jens Stoltenberg, Norway’s finance minister and the former NATO Secretary General, to inquire about the Nobel Prize. At the United Nations last month, Trump claimed he had ended seven “unendable wars,” telling world leaders: “Everyone says I should get the Nobel Peace Prize.”

Haryana CM’s response to Dalit IPS Officer’s death may reflect on Bihar’ elections 

By
Vibha Sharma
-
Photo: courtesy Haryana CM social media

The alleged suicide by senior Haryana IPS officer Y. Puran Kumar has the potential to echo far beyond the boundaries of Chandigarh and Haryana. His nine-page note — alleging caste-based harassment, public humiliation, and systemic discrimination — has hit a raw nerve and with Bihar heading into elections, the political tremors may be felt there as well.

With its deeply entrenched caste structure, Bihar is highly sensitive to such events. Dalits make up around 16% of the state’s population, and their votes often determine the outcome of closely contested seats. Puran Kumar represented a success story in a system still skewed against marginalised communities, and BJP’s rivals are now calling his death and the circumstances around it proof that even those who rise through merit are not spared casteist oppression.

The Congress has labelled the incident a reflection of the BJP’s “Manuvadi” mindset. In Bihar, where Congress is allied with the RJD under the INDIA bloc, this fits their long-standing pitch around social justice. RJD leaders too are likely to use it to consolidate Dalit and backward caste votes.

“The incident reinforces the narrative of institutional caste oppression, which can be powerfully used by parties like the RJD and the Congress to galvanise Dalit voters. The BJP’s ally in Bihar — Nitish Kumar’s JD(U) — has a base among EBCs (Extremely Backward Castes) and some Dalits. If not handled sensitively, this case may erode trust among Dalits toward the ruling alliance, especially if the BJP is seen as indifferent or defensive,” say observers.

Though the incident occurred in Haryana, caste injustices resonate deeply in Bihar’s political landscape, becoming a potential flashpoint in election speeches. If opposition parties sustain the narrative and mobilise Dalit communities effectively, the Nayab Singh Saini government’s handling of the IPS officer’s death may influence perceptions of the BJP in Dalit-majority or caste-sensitive constituencies in Bihar. Timing will be crucial — especially if the investigation drags or is seen as lacking credibility.

Senior Haryana IPS officer Y. Puran Kumar, a 2001 batch officer, was found dead in his Chandigarh residence, apparently by suicide, sending shockwaves through bureaucratic and police circles. In his nine-page “final note” he named several senior officials — both IPS and IAS — accusing them of mental harassment, caste discrimination, administrative bias, and consistent public humiliation.

In response, Chandigarh Police registered an FIR against those named, invoking abetment to suicide and provisions of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. The National Commission for Scheduled Castes has also taken suo motu cognisance, demanding an action taken report from the Haryana Chief Secretary within a week. Meanwhile, the Haryana government is reportedly considering sending the state’s DGP, Shatrujeet Kapur, on leave amid mounting pressure and scrutiny.

The Saini government is now under intense scrutiny — both over how it handled the harassment claims submitted by Puran Kumar’s wife, IAS officer Amneet P. Kumar, and over whether administrative pressures and caste bias contributed to this outcome.

Amneet lodged a complaint with Chandigarh Police on Wednesday night seeking an FIR against Kapur and Rohtak SP Narendra Bijarnia, and demanded their arrest. She also sought an FIR under BNS Section 108 (abetment to suicide) and provisions of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

“This is not a case of ordinary suicide but the direct result of systematic persecution of an honest officer from a Scheduled Caste community by powerful superiors. Justice must not only be done but must be seen to be done — even for families like ours, shattered by the cruelty of the powerful,” the complaint said.

Toxic pattern—cough syrup again

By
Tehelka Bureau
-

Contaminated cough syrup has claimed the lives of around 20 children in Madhya Pradesh

Madhya Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Rajendra Shukla on Tuesday said that 20 children have died after consuming a contaminated cough syrup, while five others are currently undergoing treatment for kidney failure. Among the victims, 17 were from Chhindwara district, two from Betul, and one from Pandhurna.

The children had reportedly been suffering from fever and cold before taking the syrup, branded ‘Coldrif’, which led to symptoms such as vomiting and difficulty in urination. The first death was recorded on September 2. The syrup was manufactured by Sresan Pharmaceuticals, located in Kancheepuram, Tamil Nadu.

Investigations by drug control authorities in Tamil Nadu and Madhya Pradesh earlier this month revealed that the syrup contained over 45% diethylene glycol (DEG), a toxic chemical known to cause severe kidney damage and even death. As a result, both states have banned the sale of the product.

In connection with the case, Madhya Pradesh Police arrested Dr Praveen Soni, a government pediatrician from Parasia in Chhindwara, for prescribing the syrup. Authorities have also filed charges against the manufacturer and established a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to further probe the incident.

But this tragedy is not an isolated case. Over the years, diethylene glycol contamination in Indian-made cough syrups has been linked to multiple child deaths. In 2023, DEG-tainted syrups from India were associated with the deaths of 70 children in The Gambia and 18 in Uzbekistan. Similarly, between December 2019 and January 2020, at least 12 children under the age of five died in Jammu after consuming a contaminated cough syrup. Activists claimed that the actual death toll might have been higher.

Beyond contamination, misuse of cough syrups containing codeine—a mild opioid—has also raised alarm. Such syrups can induce euphoria in high doses and lead to dependency, and are not recommended for young children.

In 2023, India’s drug regulator—the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO)—found two syrups manufactured by Norris Medicines Ltd to be toxic. These included a cough syrup and an anti-allergy formulation. Lab tests confirmed contamination with both DEG and ethylene glycol (EG)—the chemicals involved in fatal incidents in The Gambia, Uzbekistan, and Cameroon in 2022.

According to CDSCO’s laboratory testing, Trimax Expectorant contained 0.118% EG, while the allergy medication Sylpro Plus Syrup had 0.171% EG and 0.243% DEG. The World Health Organization (WHO) states that the safe limit for these substances, based on international standards, is no more than 0.10%.

Despite repeated promises of reform from regulators, contaminated syrups continue to surface. This recurring issue highlights the challenges of a fragmented pharmaceutical market and an overstretched regulatory system, which struggles to monitor the widespread production and over-the-counter sale of low-cost, often unapproved, medications by smaller manufacturers, say activists 

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TEHELKA is the fastest growing national news group for English & Hindi news magazines. The core value of the brand is to uphold the truth with a free, fair and fearless attitude. The company has a high standard of excellence in journalism and a commitment to assist in India’s fight against corruption. News is published in the maximum number of languages to maintain a stronger circulation base across the country.
Contact us: wecare@tehelka.com