Former Haryana CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda Launches Scathing Attack on BJP Over State's Law and Order Crisis
In a sharp critique delivered in Rohtak on Tuesday, former Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda launched a blistering assault on the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government, accusing it of presiding over a severe breakdown in law and order across the state. Hooda, a senior Congress leader, painted a grim picture of Haryana under the current administration, alleging that it has descended into a "rule of gangsters" where daylight murders have become alarmingly routine, fostering an environment of pervasive fear among citizens.
Hooda Cites Central Report to Highlight Haryana's Unsafe Status
Drawing attention to a central government report, Hooda asserted that Haryana has been officially declared one of the most unsafe states in India. He vowed to bring a formal proposal addressing the law and order crisis during the upcoming assembly session, promising to raise the issue forcefully and demand concrete answers from the government. "We will bring a proposal on law and order in the assembly session, raise it forcefully, and demand answers," Hooda declared, underscoring his commitment to holding the administration accountable.
Allegations of Rampant Gang Activity and Extortion
Hooda claimed that an estimated 50 to 60 criminal gangs are currently operating with impunity in Haryana, with many openly claiming responsibility for heinous crimes after committing them. He highlighted specific instances of extortion, alleging that professionals such as doctors and traders are being coerced into paying protection money. To illustrate the gravity of the situation, Hooda pointed to a recent murder case in Rohtak, noting that a killing occurred near the Inspector General's office, which he said raises serious questions about the government's ability to maintain public safety.
Criticism of Government's Economic and Social Policies
Expanding his critique beyond law and order, Hooda labeled the BJP government as "completely failed," citing economic repercussions such as industries migrating out of the state and a lack of new investments. He argued that for Haryana to progress, restoring law and order and rebuilding public confidence are imperative. "If the state is to progress, law and order must be restored and people's confidence rebuilt," he emphasized.
Questioning Government's Claims and Actions
Hooda directly challenged the government's assertions of effectiveness, asking, "Which gangster has the govt actually arrested?" He noted that crimes are often attributed to notorious gangs like the Bishnoi or Bhau gangs, but the government has failed to produce tangible results in curbing their activities. "The reality is that people are living in fear and the govt is weak," he stated, contrasting this with his own tenure, where he claimed to have brought similar challenges under control despite crime existing prior to 2005.
Allegations of Contradictions in Social Welfare Schemes
On the issue of social welfare, Hooda accused the government of making contradictory statements regarding pension restorations. He questioned how the government could claim to have restored 70,000 pensions while simultaneously denying that any pensions were ever cut. "If pensions were not cut, then which pensions are they restoring?" he asked, suggesting inconsistencies in policy implementation.
Accusations of Vote Theft Through Ration Card Cancellations
Further intensifying his allegations, Hooda claimed that ration cards issued before elections are now being cancelled, which he described as "nothing but vote theft." He cited the example of Ambala, where he alleged 54,000 ration cards have been cancelled. "Why were they made before elections and why are they being cut now?" he questioned, implying political motives behind these actions.
