ON JUNE 25, news came from Bihar that Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) MP, Surajbhan Singh was convicted for murder case. Earlier, Anand Mohan, a former MP was sentenced to death for lynching of Gopalganj district magistrate, G Krisnaiah.

These are good signs of decriminalisation of Bihar. If we go by media reports and information from some other sources, then it seems that chief minister Nitish Kumar played a vital role in the speedy trial of the above mentioned cases.

What was done or is being done by Nitish Kumar or his government, is as good a step towards decriminalisation of Bihar. Comparatively, the present government is doing better than the previous one -- Laloo’s Jangal Raj. The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has given a new hope to the people of Bihar.

The people of Bihar have high expectations from Nitish Kumar. However, some questions are being raised from different quarters. Does he (Nitish Kumar) really want to decriminalise Bihar? Are these convictions politically motivated?

If we track Nitish`s performance and activities over the last three years, we can find answers to these questions.

His decriminalisation drive is, to some extent, a politically motivated move. He is only helping in the conviction of those, who are either his, or his party’s (Janata Dal-United) opponents.

Criminals or politicians with criminal background, who are supporting his government or belong to his caste or community, are not being sent for speedy trials. There are people, who have charges of three murders and are still enjoying ministerial berth in his government. This ill-intention will never lead to a just and crime-free society and will not result to lasting peace in Bihar.

In parliamentary form of democracy, a chief minister or a prime minister plays the role of ’king’. Likewise, Nitish, at present, is the ‘king of Bihar’. His duty (Raj dharm) is to give justice to all without any discrimination on the basis of caste, creed, religion or appeasement of a particular sect etc. It (duty) should not be politically motivated. Otherwise, it will destroy his image of vikas purush. If he wants to maintain this image he should treat everyone as equal.