Patna

Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) spokesperson Shakti Yadav on Saturday staged a symbolic protest outside former Bihar chief minister Rabri Devi's residence, alleging that senior party leaders had effectively "returned" the security cover provided by the NDA government after its recent reduction.

Yadav, a former MLA, positioned himself at the entrance of the 10, Circular Road residence, assuming the role of a gateman to protest what he described as repeated humiliation of the party's first family by the state government. He asserted that RJD workers would now take responsibility for the safety of their leaders.

The demonstration came two days after Bihar's Home Department announced a downgrade in the security arrangements of former chief ministers Rabri Devi and Lalu Prasad, as well as members of their family, including Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav.

Accusing the government of endangering the lives of opposition leaders, Yadav said the repeated decisions regarding security and official accommodation reflected a deliberate attempt to insult the RJD leadership.

The controversy follows another recent dispute over the allotment of the 10, Circular Road bungalow to BJP leader and minister Nand Kishor Ram. Rabri Devi had strongly objected to the move and challenged Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary to evict her from the residence by force if the government wished to reclaim it.

Leaders of the ruling NDA, however, dismissed the protest and defended the government's decision. BJP leader and former minister Sanjay Saraogi said security arrangements are determined by a designated committee and noted that Rabri Devi and Lalu Prasad continue to receive the protection due to former chief ministers.

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Janata Dal (United) national spokesperson Rajiv Ranjan Prasad also maintained that security categories are assigned based on threat assessments and urged Rabri Devi to accept the government's decision.