Congress President Critiques Government on Law and Order Issues
In a recent statement, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has sharply criticized the central government for its handling of law and order, citing alarming statistics from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB). He highlighted significant increases in crimes against women, children, and marginalized communities since 2013. The report reveals a staggering rise in cybercrime and suicides among farmers and students. Additionally, there has been a notable uptick in offenses involving juveniles and crimes against senior citizens. This article delves into the troubling trends and statistics that underscore the challenges facing India's law enforcement.
| May 8, 2026, 18:42 IST
Congress Leader's Strong Criticism of Government
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has launched a fierce critique against the central government, asserting that its twelve years in power have revealed the hollow truths behind claims regarding law enforcement and women's safety. Citing data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), Kharge pointed out a significant rise in atrocities against marginalized groups since 2013. According to the NCRB report, crimes against women have surged by 42.6%, while offenses against children have skyrocketed by 204.6%. Additionally, there has been a 41.3% increase in atrocities against Dalits and a 46.7% rise in crimes against tribal communities. Cybercrime has seen an alarming increase of 1,689%. Furthermore, in 2024 alone, 10,546 farmers, 52,931 daily wage workers, and 14,488 students reportedly took their own lives.
Rising Crime Rates Among Youth and Elderly
Meanwhile, the official 2024 report from the National Security Commission (NCRB) indicates a notable rise in cases involving juveniles in conflict with the law and crimes against senior citizens. In 2024, a total of 34,878 cases involving minors were recorded, reflecting an 11.2% increase from the 31,365 cases documented in 2023. The crime rate also escalated from 7.1 in 2023 to 7.9 in 2024. During this period, 42,633 minors were apprehended, with 34,648 involved in offenses under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Indian Justice Code (BNS), while 7,985 were linked to special and local laws (SLL).
Demographics of Arrested Minors and Senior Citizen Crimes
Data further revealed that a significant majority, 77.7%, of the arrested minors fell within the 16 to 18 age group, indicating a higher involvement of older adolescents in criminal activities. Conversely, crimes against senior citizens (aged 60 and above) saw a sharp increase of 16.9% in 2024, with 32,602 cases reported compared to 27,886 in 2023. Among various offenses, theft was the most prevalent, accounting for 4,786 cases (14.7%), followed by fraud and forgery with 4,451 cases (13.7%). Homicides involving senior citizens totaled 1,229, representing 3.8% of all cases.