2025: Why it was an unquiet year for Haryana

Perhaps no issue marked 2025 more profoundly than the turmoil within Haryana’s Police force. The state’s law-and-order crisis reached a tragic peak with the deaths of two police officers, both of which were ruled ‘suicides’.

Deaths that shook the system

In October, the dead by suicide of Inspector General of Police Y Puran Kumar rocked the state. Documents attributed to him pointed to alleged workplace harassment and systemic discrimination within the force, fueling widespread outrage. Just a week later, Assistant Sub-Inspector Sandeep Lathar’s death, also ruled a suicide, added fuel to the fire, as his case became entangled in allegations involving senior officers. The public’s demand for accountability and transparency only grew stronger as both cases led to criminal investigations.

These deaths exposed deep fractures within the police force. Official probes were launched, and special investigative teams were formed. The probes are still ongoing. Civil society groups and opposition leaders demanded independent inquiry mechanisms, with calls for justice resonating both inside and outside the police establishment.

Police leadership crisis

As investigations into the suicides unfolded, attention turned to the highest echelons of police leadership. In December, Director General of Police (DGP) Shatrujeet Kapur was relieved of his charge as the state police chief (two months after he was sent on leave), an unceremonious exit that underscored the gravity of the crisis. The move was seen as a direct acknowledgment of the failures in leadership and the systemic issues plaguing the police force.

As Kapur proceeded on leave in October, IPS officer OP Singh was appointed as the officiating DGP, tasked with restoring morale and rebuilding public trust in the force. This leadership change was widely viewed as an attempt to stabilize the situation. The crisis prompted a rare national conversation on the issue of workplace stress, caste dynamics, and mental health within uniformed services — topics that had long been sidelined in discussions about policing. Singh is due to retire on December 31, 2025.

The white-collar terror network

The simultaneous exposure of both a ‘white-collar’ terror network and an espionage ring has put state at the center of a broader national security debate. The November saw Haryana thrust into the national spotlight after joint operation of J&K and Haryana Police uncovered a major white-collar terror module with alleged links to educated professionals and deep ties to Faridabad’s Al Falah University. The investigation revealed alarming connections to the deadly car blast near Delhi’s Red Fort on November 10, which claimed the lives of 15 individuals. The breakthrough came after investigators traced activities of several faculty members from Al Falah University who were allegedly involved in planning and executing the attack. The operation also led to the recovery of approximately 2,900 kilograms of explosives hidden in two villages of Faridabad district. The sheer scale of the operation, and the involvement of individuals with professional backgrounds, sent shockwaves through the state, prompting a review of security protocols at educational institutions.

In the earlier months, unsettling revelation of an alleged espionage network operating out of Haryana during Operation Sindoor was uncovered. The network was accused of passing sensitive information to foreign agents, raising serious concerns about security breaches within the state. Among the individuals arrested were social media influencer Jyoti Malhotra, a resident of Hisar, and several others. As of now, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has taken the lead in both cases.

Beyond the leadership upheaval, Haryana continued to wrestle with crime and public trust in its police. Allegations of gang activity and extortion in certain districts persisted, with opposition leaders accusing the government of failing to rein in criminal networks. The administration, on the other hand, pointed to improved crime detection rates and the dismantling of several major gangs, citing targeted crackdowns and special task forces.

Opposition gets a face, ‘officially’; BJP continues its winning streak

On the political front, the year ended with a shift in Congress leadership. In September, the All India Congress Committee (AICC) appointed Rao Narender Singh as party’s state unit chief, replacing Udai Bhan. This change signaled a strategic recalibration aimed at broadening the party’s appeal to the OBC electorate, with the shift away from a Dalit-Jat leadership pairing to a Jat-OBC combination. Bhupinder Singh Hooda, former Chief Minister of Haryana, was also reappointed as Leader of the Congress Legislature Party (CLP), signaling a shift in leadership strategy within the party, albeit following a prolonged internal deadlock.

The ruling BJP, however, continued its winning streak and won the civic body polls in March 2025 under chief minister Nayab Singh Saini. A no-confidence motion brought by the Congress against the Saini government was defeated in the state assembly’s winter session, confirming the BJP’s majority.

Political undercurrents and governance shifts

Haryana’s political climate in 2025 was fiercely charged, characterized by intense public debates and political maneuvering. A significant chapter of the year began with allegations of large-scale electoral irregularities during the state elections. Senior Congress leaders led by Rahul Gandhi at the centre and former chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda in Haryana accused the ruling government of manipulating voter data, a claim which, despite being dismissed by the Election Commission, deepened the political divide between the opposition and the ruling establishment.

Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, whose party — the BJP — had successfully secured a historic third term in October 2024 state legislative assembly polls, countered the allegations by emphasizing stability and reform. Under his leadership, multiple bureaucratic reshuffles were carried out, including the transfers of several senior IAS officers, which supporters defended as corrective actions aimed at improving governance. Opponents, however, viewed these changes as politically motivated moves to consolidate power and weaken dissent.

Another flashpoint in the political arena came when the Haryana government controversially reclassified Eid-ul-Fitr as a restricted holiday, instead of the gazetted status it had enjoyed in previous years. While the government defended the decision as an administrative measure, it drew sharp criticism from opposition parties and civil society groups who accused the ruling government of undermining the state’s secular ethos.

Economic ambitions and the budget push

On the economic front, Haryana strove to position itself as a progressive, future-ready state. The 2025-26 state budget, surpassing Rs 2 lakh crore, showcased the government’s ambitious plans for technology-driven growth, youth employment, and infrastructure expansion. Among the bold initiatives was the creation of the Department of Future, an agency designed to foster innovation in artificial intelligence (AI), startups, and women’s empowerment.

A significant highlight was Haryana’s investment outreach, particularly the signing of multiple Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with Japanese companies in sectors like manufacturing, skill development, and clean energy. These agreements, the government officials say, promise creation of thousands of jobs, especially in the industrial hubs of Gurugram, Faridabad, and Sonipat.

In another notable development, the World Bank approved a significant financing package aimed at improving air quality across Haryana’s urban and industrial areas. The initiative, which focuses on tackling pollution in the state’s industrial corridors, aligned with the government’s long-term sustainability goals.

Infrastructure and urban development

Infrastructure development remained a cornerstone of Haryana’s governance strategy in 2025. Major projects like the Haryana Orbital Rail Corridor and the Panipat–Dabwali Expressway took center stage, promising to improve connectivity and logistics in the state. The government also placed a significant emphasis on urban mobility.

In a key event, Gurugram hosted the Urban Mobility India Conference, which saw national policymakers discussing strategies for sustainable mass transit systems. Issues such as traffic congestion, public transport, and waste management were high on the agenda, reflecting the growing urban pressures facing the state. Furthermore, the launch of the State Environment Plan 2025-26 outline plans to address critical concerns like water treatment, pollution control, and waste management, highlighting the administration’s ambition to balance development with environmental sustainability.

Social climate and public sentiment

Haryana’s social climate in 2025 remained tense, with farmers continuing to voice concerns over procurement systems and rising input costs. Youth unemployment also dominated discussions inside and outside the state legislative assembly, with several student and youth organizations protesting delays in government recruitment processes.

Religious sensitivities remained a delicate issue, and while large-scale communal unrest was avoided, several incidents sparked debates about minority representation and the state’s approach to secularism. The reclassification of Eid-ul-Fitr sparked protests among religious groups, adding to the simmering discontent over the handling of social issues by the state government.

Despite these challenges, the government attempted to project an image of success during Haryana Day celebrations in November, showcasing its developmental milestones. However, opposition voices continued to point to persistent inequalities and governance gaps, underscoring the tensions between growth and social harmony.