No govt jobs for those found staging violent protests, blocking roads: Bihar Police

Patna: The Bihar Police has issued a controversial circular, warning people against staging violent protests or blocking roads, drawing a fierce reaction from the opposition that accused Chief Minister Nitish Kumar of acting like dictators Hitler and Mussolini. 

In its circular, the police said that those found staging protests, sitting on a dharna or blocking roads will not get government jobs or any kind of government contract.

मुसोलिनी और हिटलर को चुनौती दे रहे नीतीश कुमार कहते है अगर किसी ने सत्ता व्यवस्था के विरुद्ध धरना-प्रदर्शन कर अपने लोकतांत्रिक अधिकार का प्रयोग किया तो आपको नौकरी नहीं मिलेगी। मतलब नौकरी भी नहीं देंगे और विरोध भी प्रकट नहीं करने देंगे

बेचारे 40सीट के मुख्यमंत्री कितने डर रहे है? pic.twitter.com/h0TDkuR5vP

— Tejashwi Yadav (@yadavtejashwi) February 2, 2021

As per the directive issued by Bihar DGP SK Singhal on Tuesday, if anyone takes part in a protest that could turn violent, the police can mention the same in his certificate of conduct or character certificate. 

No govt jobs for protesting

Police verification is necessary for applying for a state-owned liquor outlet, a government job, a license for a firearm and a passport, stated the directive.

"If a person is engaged in any criminal activity by involving in any law and order situation, protests, road blocks etc. and is charged by the police for this, then this should be specifically and categorically mentioned in the character verification report of the individual by the police. Such people should be prepared for stern consequences as they won't be able to get government jobs or state-owned liquor outlets," the directive said.

Opposition expresses outrage

Reacting sharply to the new circular, RJD leader and Leader of Opposition in Bihar Assembly Tejashwi Yadav, who shared a screenshot of the letter on his Twitter handle, vented ire at Nitish Kumar, saying he is giving a tough competition to Mussolini and Hitler.

The Bihar Police recently came under sharp criticism from the opposition over a circular that warned of strict action against offensive social media posts against the government, ministers, MPs, legislators and state officials.

In its circular issued last month, the police said that offensive social media posts against the government officials will be treated as cybercrime and invite penal action.