Patna (Bihar) [India], June 2: Union Minister Nityanand Rai has hit back at Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, defending the NDA government’s handling of law and order in Bihar following the tragic death of a minor Dalit girl who was raped and later died at Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) due to alleged medical negligence.
Responding to Rahul Gandhi’s post on X, Rai asserted that the NDA is committed to development and justice in Bihar:
“The NDA government is developing Bihar and maintaining law and order. The government takes cognisance of any misconduct by any official, takes action, and serves justice,” he stated.
Rai contrasted the NDA’s approach with the past, alleging that during the Lalu-Rabri regime, lawlessness prevailed:
“Criminals and corrupt people were safeguarded… They were rewarded instead of being punished,” he claimed, emphasizing the NDA’s zero-tolerance stance on corruption and crime.
Rahul Gandhi Slams NDA for “Double Negligence”
Earlier, Rahul Gandhi strongly criticised the Nitish Kumar-led government, calling the incident a shameful reflection of systemic failure. In a post on X, he wrote:
“The brutality against a minor Dalit girl in Muzaffarpur and the subsequent negligence in her treatment is extremely shameful. If she had received timely treatment, her life could have been saved. But the double-engine government was negligent not only in providing security but also in saving her life.”
He pledged to fight for the victim’s justice:
“We will not sit quietly until the victim’s family gets justice. Strict action should be taken against the culprits and negligent officers.”
Congress Mounts Protest, Demands Accountability
In Patna, Congress workers staged a protest on Sunday demanding justice and accountability.
Bihar Congress President Rajesh Ram blamed the government’s negligence for the girl’s death:
“There are two aspects — first, the rape and brutal attack; second, the inexcusable medical negligence. The government is directly responsible for the failure of the healthcare system,” he said.
Case Background
The 10-year-old girl from Muzaffarpur’s Kundli village was raped and brutally assaulted, allegedly by a man who lured her with chocolate. She was admitted to Sri Krishna Medical College and Hospital (SKMCH) on May 26, and later referred to PMCH in Patna for advanced treatment.
Her uncle alleged she was left in an ambulance for hours at PMCH and claimed doctors administered sleeping medicine instead of proper treatment. The hospital administration has denied these claims, stating that treatment began promptly and that all necessary departments were involved.
The Bihar government has promised a ₹4 lakh ex gratia payment to the victim’s family and fast-tracking the trial to seek capital punishment for the accused within two months.
The incident has sparked widespread outrage and renewed debate over Bihar’s healthcare system, law enforcement, and the treatment of Dalit communities.
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