The BJP on Sunday issued severe remonstrances to the Bihar and West Bengal governments after communal violence took place in the two states earlier this week.
"I would only say that the law and order situation in Bihar has worsened, and 'Jungleraj [lawless state]' has developed. It is very unfortunate that the Jungleraj that existed during the regime of [former Bihar state chief] Lalu [Prasad Yadav], has returned under [Bihar deputy state chief] Tejashwi Yadav and [Bihar state chief] Nitish Kumar," Federal Minister Anurag Thakur told reporters on Sunday.
Thakur's comments came after tensions continued to simmer in the Rohtas and Nalanda districts of Bihar and the city of Howrah in West Bengal.
In the Nalanda and Rohtas districts, tensions between Muslims and Hindus were first witnessed during religious processions on the occasion of Ram Navami on Thursday. However, no serious incident took place on that day.
But on Friday, members of the two communities fought pitched battles, throwing stones at each other, leaving one person dead and several others injured.
Nalanda District Magistrate (DM), Shashank Shubhankar, subsequently said that around 80 suspects have been arrested for being involved in the clashes. Also, meetings of community leaders were held to urge people to keep calm and not get involved in any act of violence.
Meanwhile, in West Bengal, several vehicles were torched and public and private property ransacked during the communal violence in Howrah on Thursday.
A total of 38 people have been arrested by the West Bengal police over the clashes, and Section 144 (which prohibits a gathering of more than four individuals) has been imposed in the area, the authorities said on Saturday.
Criticizing the West Bengal government led by Mamata Banerjee, Thakur hurled accusations of bias, indirectly stating that authorities in the state were only providing security to Muslims.
"[Mamata Banerjee] is providing security to one section. On the incidents of stone pelting, arson and violence during the 'Shobha Yatra' of the Hindu community, she kept taking a selective stand. It is very unfortunate that Hindus are attacked under the protection of a Chief Minister, and she only plays the role of an audience," Thakur noted.
Notably, both West Bengal and Bihar are ruled by parties opposed to the BJP.
West Bengal is run by Trinamool Congress, and its party chief Mamata Banerjee is a staunch critic of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Bihar's government is run by a coalition of Janata Dal (United) and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD).
These two political outfits are currently spearheading efforts to unite all opposition parties to take on the BJP in next year's national polls when Prime Minister Narendra Modi will seek a third consecutive term in office.