The brutal murder of 19-year-old playschool teacher Manisha in Bhiwani district has ignited widespread protests and drawn sharp criticism from opposition leaders, who accuse the BJP-led Haryana government of failing to maintain law and order. Manisha’s body, found with her throat slit in a field in Singhani village on August 13, has become a rallying point for demands for justice and accountability.

Manisha went missing on August 11 after leaving her school to inquire about a nursing course. Her family, alleging police inaction, claims officers dismissed their initial concerns, stating, “The girl must have run away, she’ll return.” This delay has fueled public anger, with villagers blocking the Delhi-Pilani road on Sunday and refusing to cremate Manisha’s body until her killer is arrested. A mahapanchayat held near Dhigawa Mandi in Bhiwani on Saturday echoed these demands.

Congress MP Kumari Selja called the murder a “stark example of the collapse of law and order,” asserting that timely police action could have saved Manisha’s life. “The suspension of a few officers and the SP’s transfer are mere eyewash,” Selja said, demanding the immediate arrest of the culprits. “Are Haryana’s daughters safe? The BJP must answer,” she added.

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Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, responding to the uproar, assured that an investigation is underway and “strict action” will be taken. Speaking in Kurukshetra, Saini said he is personally monitoring the case, with police questioning several individuals. However, opposition leaders remain unconvinced.

Indian National Lok Dal’s Abhay Singh Chautala labeled the murder a “black spot” on the BJP’s ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’ campaign, declaring Haryana “one of the most unsafe states for women.” Aam Aadmi Party’s Anurag Dhanda highlighted the state’s “administrative paralysis,” citing over 4,100 missing persons and 1,000 kidnappings in 2025 alone, alongside 17 murders in Jind in a single month.

Police have formed six teams to investigate, with a post-mortem conducted at PGIMS Rohtak pending a forensic report to confirm the cause of death. Haryana minister Shruti Choudhry noted that CM Saini is closely overseeing the probe.

Manisha’s friend Pinky described her as “calm and well-behaved,” expressing shock at the tragedy. A villager echoed the family’s frustration, stating that swift police action could have prevented the loss. As protests intensify and the National Human Rights Commission seeks a response from the state DGP, the incident underscores growing concerns over women’s safety in Haryana.

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