The Bihar government has withdrawn Z-plus security cover for Lalu Prasad Yadav and Rabri Devi [1].
This decision marks a significant downgrade in protection for the family of the former chief minister. The move follows a formal security review for VIPs conducted by the state government to assess current threat levels [1].
According to reports, the security review led the government to determine that the highest level of protection was no longer necessary for the couple [1]. In addition to the Z-plus cover for the parents, the government also withdrew Y-category security cover for their son, Tej Pratap Yadav [1].
Tej Pratap Yadav later said regarding the claims of these security withdrawals [2]. The reduction in security personnel and categories often reflects a change in the perceived risk to a public figure's safety, or a shift in administrative policy regarding the allocation of state resources.
While the government cited the security review as the basis for the change, the move has caused friction. Reports indicate that Rabri Devi was upset over the withdrawal of the Z-plus cover and the introduction of a new security detail [2].
Under the current system, Z-plus security is typically reserved for those facing the highest level of threat, providing a substantial number of guards and a dedicated escort. The Y-category cover, which was removed from Tej Pratap Yadav, provides a lower but still significant level of protection compared to the Z-plus tier [1].
“The Bihar government has withdrawn Z-plus security cover for Lalu Prasad Yadav and Rabri Devi.”
The downgrade of security for the Yadav family suggests a shift in the state's assessment of the political and physical threats facing the RJD leadership. By citing a 'security review,' the Bihar government is framing the decision as a bureaucratic necessity rather than a political maneuver, though such changes in VIP protection often coincide with shifts in the regional power dynamic.
