Lalu Yadav In Hot Water Over Social Media Post Targeting Bihar

Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) supremo and former Bihar chief minister Lalu Yadav is in legal trouble over one of his posts on social platform X.

On 28 September, Yadav equated Bihar to rape and wrote ‘Bihar=Rape’, repeating it 32 times.

Yadav’s post was in response to his son Tejashwi Yadav’s post, which listed 20 rape incidents that had occurred in Bihar over the last few weeks.

Detailing the list, Tejashwi had written, “Hopes for freedom from Dushasan through good governance. Today, Draupadi cries out.”

Both father and son are trying to reverse the "Jungle Raj" narrative against the Nitish Kumar-led government. However, in this quest, senior Yadav seems to have crossed the line of decency. His post quickly gained traction and was severely criticised.

Local advocate Sudhir Kumar Ojha has filed a complaint against Lalu in Muzaffarpur Court, accusing him of hurting the sentiments of Bihar’s people.

The complaint, filed under several sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) — including Sections 352 (assault or use of criminal force), 353 (assault or criminal force to deter a public servant), 35 (2 and 3) (criminal acts done with a common intention), 192 (fabricating false evidence), and 196 (using evidence known to be false) — claims that Lalu's post was defamatory and aimed at tarnishing the state’s image.

Ojha alleged that Lalu's equating of Bihar to rape was a politically motivated attempt to gain attention. He emphasised that while crimes occur in every state, it was irresponsible to paint the entire state in such a negative light.

The Muzaffarpur Court has scheduled the next hearing for 24 October.

Meanwhile, Upendra Kushwaha, leader of the Rashtriya Lok Samata Party (RLSP), also criticised Lalu’s remarks. He said calling Bihar synonymous with rape was an insult to the state’s pride and historical legacy. Kushwaha urged for more responsible political discourse and condemned Lalu’s attack on Bihar’s reputation.