After the BJP-led Bihar government withdrew the Z-plus security cover of former chief ministers Lalu Prasad Yadav and Rabri Devi, and refused to get the Y-category cover given to them, workers of their party Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) stepped in as the family’s new guards. Several party members were seen standing outside the leaders’ residence in Patna carrying sticks after the official security detail was brought back in protest against the downgrade from Z+ to Y.
The couple’s son, Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav, also refused to accept his Y category cover.
The development comes amid a separate row over a bungalow on Ring Road No. 10, which the Bihar government had asked Rabri Devi to vacate after allotting it to Minister Nand Kishore Ram.
Lalu and Rabri return the revised security details
Veteran RJD leaders were this week assigned to a revised security detail comprising Bihar Special Armed Police (BSAP) personnel after the state government reviewed the protection provided to VIPs.
However, the staff deployed outside their 10th residence on Ring Road in Patna were turned away, news agency ANI reported.
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RJD workers guard Lalu and Rabari
As the new security detail was dismissed, several RJD workers were seen guarding outside the house with sticks, according to reports.
Party spokesperson Shakti Yadav also sat outside the house, claiming that senior party leaders had “returned” the security cover provided by the BJP-RJD’s NDA government, news agency PTI reported.
Yadav, a former MLA, alleged that the RJD’s first family was upset over “repeated insults by the government” and said party workers would take care of their security needs themselves.
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RJD vs Govt on removal of security
The big drama unfolded two days after the state home department announced downgrading of security cover for Lalu Prasad, Rabri Devi and other family members, including Tejashwi Yadav.
The RJD stated that the arrogance of dictators ensured the misery of common people and led to the decline of democratic values.
“The arrogance of the autocrat ensures the misery of the common people and the decline of democratic values! The Indian Constitution has given equal importance to the opposition as to the ruling party! This is the very thing that angers dictators!”, the RJD posted on its X index.
“The government wants to kill our leaders. But we will try to ensure their security on our own. Our leaders are being insulted time and again, whether it is in the name of security or compromise,” Shakti Yadav said angrily.
Meanwhile, NDA leaders criticized the RLD for creating unnecessary controversy and said the government’s decision should be respected.
“There is a security committee set up across the state which takes decisions. Both Rabri Devi and Lalu ji are receiving the security due to them as former chief ministers. What is the problem?” said Sanjay Saraogi, BJP state president and former minister.
JD(U) national spokesperson Rajiv Ranjan Prasad said security categories are determined according to threat perception. “Rabri ji is no exception. She should respect the state government’s decision,” he added.
