The year 2025 will be remembered as a period of profound turbulence and testing for Haryana. It was a year where ambitious progress collided with deep-seated institutional crises, pushing the state into a relentless national spotlight. From devastating internal breakdowns within its police force to shocking national security threats uncovered on its soil, Haryana navigated a complex landscape of governance challenges and political shifts.
A Force in Crisis: Suicides and Leadership Upheaval
Perhaps the most distressing chapter of Haryana's year was the severe turmoil within its police force. The law and order machinery was rocked by tragedy when two officers died by suicide within a week in October, exposing alleged systemic failures.
The death of Inspector General of Police Y Puran Kumar sent shockwaves, with documents pointing to claims of workplace harassment and discrimination. This was swiftly followed by the suicide of Assistant Sub-Inspector Sandeep Lathar, a case that further implicated senior officers. These incidents triggered criminal probes and fueled public demands for accountability, laying bare deep fractures in the force's morale and internal culture.
The crisis culminated in a major leadership shake-up. In December, Director General of Police (DGP) Shatrujeet Kapur was relieved of his charge, marking an unceremonious exit. IPS officer OP Singh was appointed as the officiating police chief, tasked with the monumental challenge of restoring trust and stability. The episodes sparked a rare national conversation on mental health, workplace stress, and caste dynamics within India's uniformed services.
National Security Shock: White-Collar Terror and Espionage
Simultaneously, Haryana found itself at the heart of a grave national security alert. In a significant joint operation in November, the Jammu & Kashmir and Haryana Police busted a major white-collar terror module with alleged links to educated professionals and Faridabad's Al Falah University.
The investigation revealed connections to the deadly car blast near Delhi's Red Fort on November 10, which killed 15 people. The breakthrough led to the staggering recovery of approximately 2,900 kilograms of explosives hidden in villages of Faridabad district. The involvement of faculty members and the scale of the plot prompted urgent reviews of security protocols at educational institutions.
Earlier in the year, an alleged espionage network operating out of Haryana during Operation Sindoor was uncovered. Among those arrested was social media influencer Jyoti Malhotra from Hisar. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has since taken charge of both the terror and espionage cases.
Political Recalibrations and BJP's Dominance
On the political front, 2025 saw strategic repositioning. The Congress attempted a revival by appointing Rao Narender Singh as the new Haryana Congress chief in September, replacing Udai Bhan. This signalled a shift towards a Jat-OBC combination. Former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda was also reappointed as the Congress Legislature Party leader.
However, the ruling BJP, under Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, consolidated its power. The party swept the civic body polls in March 2025. A no-confidence motion brought by the Congress was defeated in the winter assembly session, reaffirming the BJP's majority. The year was also marked by controversy, including allegations of electoral irregularities by the Congress and a contentious government decision to reclassify Eid-ul-Fitr as a restricted holiday, drawing accusations of undermining secular ethos.
Amidst the chaos, the state pushed forward with economic ambitions. The 2025-26 state budget crossed Rs 2 lakh crore, introducing a new Department of Future to focus on AI and startups. Major infrastructure projects like the Haryana Orbital Rail Corridor advanced, and a World Bank package was secured to combat air pollution in industrial corridors.
Ultimately, 2025 was a year where Haryana's resilience was tested. It grappled with the human cost of institutional failure, confronted unprecedented security threats, and witnessed the continuous churn of its political landscape, all while striving to maintain its path of development.
