Bihar is once again in the spotlight — not just for its rising crime graph, but for a senior police official’s controversial explanation. Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order), Kundan Krishnan, recently said that the increase in violent crimes across Bihar, particularly murders, is due to seasonal unemployment among agricultural workers. His statement, though backed by data according to him, has sparked a political storm and sharp criticism from citizens and opposition leaders alike.
Crime in Bihar: What Did the Police Official Say?
Speaking to the media on Wednesday evening, Krishnan explained that murders in Bihar tend to spike between April and July, a period when there is no active crop season in the state. He said:
“Most murders happen in April, May and June. This continues until the rains come. After that, the farming community gets busy, and crime incidents reduce.”
He went further, stating that Bihar has only two major crop seasons — Rabi and Kharif — leaving a vacuum in terms of employment for farm laborers during summer months. With no work and income, he claimed that land disputes, youth-driven violence, and even contract killings become common ways for some to make quick money.
Is the Claim Backed by Data?
While the Bihar Police’s official crime records have not yet been publicly released for 2025, older NCRB (National Crime Records Bureau) reports suggest a cyclical pattern in certain crimes, especially in rural areas.
- Murder cases in Bihar have remained one of the highest in the country.
- A report from NCRB 2022 showed that Bihar recorded over 3,000 murders, many of which were due to personal enmity, land disputes, and economic stress.
- Similar trends were also seen in the summer months of previous years.
So, while Krishnan’s statement may not be entirely off-base in terms of data trends, the larger issue remains the government’s inability to address seasonal unemployment and its direct link to law and order failures.
Public and Political Outrage
Krishnan’s remark drew instant backlash from various quarters. Social media platforms were flooded with criticism, with many users accusing the ADG of “shifting blame” instead of acknowledging a failure to maintain law and order.
Congress Hits Back
Congress leader Pawan Khera condemned the statement, saying:
“This is not your mindset but reflects the mindset of the political leadership behind you… the NDA government.”
He also referred to the recent ICU shooting at Paras Hospital in Patna as an example of Bihar descending into lawlessness, saying:
“Now nobody talks about gundaraj, jungle raj. It is not even possible to hunt like that in a jungle.”
Recent Crimes That Triggered Public Fear
Here are some notable crimes in Bihar over the past few months:
- BJP leader Surendra Kewat shot dead in Patna, shortly after Gopal Khemka’s murder.
- A criminal out on parole was shot inside Patna’s Paras Hospital, creating panic about safety in even high-security zones.
- Rural murders linked to land disputes and contract killings have increased, with police yet to control the spiraling violence.
The Link Between Farm Unemployment and Crime
Experts believe that seasonal unemployment in agrarian states like Bihar is a genuine socioeconomic issue. During summer months:
- Most small and marginal farmers have no work.
- Daily wage laborers migrate or stay idle.
- With no alternate employment programs in place, youth turn to illicit activities.
However, critics argue that lack of proactive policing, poor governance, and political protection to criminals have a much bigger role than unemployment alone.
What’s the Real Issue?
Blaming seasonal unemployment alone is seen as oversimplification. Real issues include:
- Poor rural policing
- Criminal-politician nexus
- Delayed justice and weak conviction rates
- Failure of schemes like MGNREGA to absorb rural unemployed
- Inadequate youth skill development programs
What Can Be Done?
To reduce both unemployment and crime in Bihar, the following steps are urgently needed:
- Job creation schemes during off-season months for rural youth.
- Stronger local policing with tech-enabled crime tracking.
- Community-based watch programs to handle disputes before escalation.
- Fast-track courts for quick trials in violent crimes.
- Education and awareness programs in rural districts to prevent youth from being recruited by gangs.
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