Congress questions PM’s moral right to seek votes from women in Bihar

The Congress on Wednesday questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “moral right” to seek votes from women in Bihar, alleging that crimes against women have peaked under the “double-engine NDA government” in the state.

Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said the Prime Minister was appealing to women voters in his campaign speeches, but the reality on the ground showed rising sexual violence and official indifference. “Under this government, the daughters of Bihar are utterly helpless. Crimes against women have reached their peak, and the government’s sensitivity has disappeared,” Ramesh said in a post on X.

He cited several incidents to support his claim, including the death of an 11-year-old Dalit girl in May after being denied hospital treatment, and the Muzaffarpur shelter home case of 2018, where over 30 minor girls were sexually assaulted. He also referred to the recent murder of a 13-year-old girl in Begusarai , whose semi-naked body was recovered near the residence of former minister Manju Verma.

Ramesh questioned what moral right the Prime Minister had to seek the votes of Bihar’s women after such incidents, claiming that “the people of the state have made up their minds for change.”

The remarks came after Modi accused the Congress-RJD alliance of insulting ‘Chhathi Maiyya’ to gain votes, while the opposition INDIA bloc countered by highlighting law and order issues and women’s safety lapses.

According to official data, Bihar reported over 89,000 cases of crimes against women between 2018 and 2022 , showing a 16 percent increase over four years. These included nearly 4,000 rape cases, more than 2,500 female murders, and over 42,000 kidnappings. The state also recorded a 13 percent rise in such crimes between 2021 and 2022, with recent high-profile cases renewing public concern.

Amid growing criticism, both political alliances have sought to address women’s concerns in their manifestos. The INDIA bloc has pledged a “crime-free and scam-free Bihar,” alongside a ₹2,500 monthly financial support scheme for women , free electricity up to 200 units , and one government job per family .

The BJP-led NDA , meanwhile, has highlighted women’s empowerment through welfare transfers and subsidy programmes but has offered fewer direct measures on law and order or crime prevention .

With women forming nearly half of Bihar’s electorate, the issue of safety and dignity has emerged as a crucial factor ahead of voting on November 6 and 11 , with results to be announced on November 14 .