Hooda targets BJP over Haryana’s crime record, urges Amit Shah to address law and order

Haryana Leader of the Opposition Bhupinder Singh Hooda has criticised the state government over the law and order situation, saying Union Home Minister Amit Shah should have addressed the issue during his recent visit to the state.

At a press conference on Friday, the Congress leader alleged that Haryana had performed poorly on several crime-related indicators and was facing serious challenges involving organised crime, unemployment and its financial position.

Hooda cited the Centre’s Social Progress Index, which he said had ranked Haryana as the country’s most unsafe state. He also referred to National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) figures, claiming that the state featured among the leading states in cases of rape, murder, kidnapping, extortion and firing incidents.

He questioned why these concerns had not received attention during Shah’s visit, arguing that the government should focus on public safety rather than political exchanges.

Hooda claims around 80 criminal gangs active in state

Raising concerns about organised crime, Hooda claimed that nearly 80 criminal gangs were operating in Haryana. He said the state government needed to take stock of the situation and address the factors contributing to the deteriorating law and order conditions.

The former chief minister also accused the BJP of failing to deliver on its promises despite being in power in Haryana for 12 years.

“Instead of addressing these pressing issues, the BJP leaders engage in irrelevant rhetoric because, despite being in power for 12 years, the party has no significant achievements to showcase in Haryana,” Hooda said.

He maintained that crime was not the only challenge confronting the state, pointing to unemployment and its financial condition as other areas requiring urgent attention.

Congress leader flags Haryana’s financial rankings

Hooda also questioned the state’s economic management, referring to rankings on fiscal health, debt accumulation and sustainable development.

According to the figures he cited, Haryana ranked 14th in fiscal health, 15th in debt accumulation and 11th in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) index.

He said these indicators reflected the need for the government to review its performance and address the broader challenges facing the state.

Hooda questions BJP’s protests against Opposition

The Congress leader also criticised the BJP for organising protests against Opposition parties, describing it as unusual for a ruling party to take to the streets against its political rivals.

In an apparent reference to the BJP’s campaign around protecting democracy, Hooda said the ruling party was now repeating an argument that the Opposition had been making for a long time: that democracy was under threat.

His remarks came amid an ongoing political exchange between the BJP and Congress in Haryana, with the Opposition questioning the state government's record on governance, public safety and economic management.