Bihar Minister Condemns Molestation Incident Amid Political Tensions
Minister's Strong Condemnation
Screengrab image shows the viral video of man torturing young girl in the name of moral policing in Bihar
(Photo: @Naira_Seth1/X)
Patna, Sep 22: Bihar's Minister Ram Kripal Yadav expressed his outrage on Tuesday regarding the alleged molestation of a young woman in Jamui, labeling the event as both unfortunate and unacceptable. He emphasized the need for families to instill moral values alongside education.
Yadav also took aim at Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, for his comments on social media, urging him to refrain from politicizing the incident.
He assured that the government is treating the matter with utmost seriousness and promised that stringent actions would be taken against those responsible.
"The Jamui incident is deeply regrettable and deserves strong condemnation. No amount of condemnation can suffice. The government is committed to taking strict measures against the culprits. Those arrested will face charges under the POCSO Act and will receive the harshest penalties possible," he stated.
Yadav remarked that individuals with such 'backward thinking' must adapt to contemporary societal changes.
"In this era of transformation, those with such outdated mindsets must evolve," he asserted.
He reiterated, "Families must impart morals, not just education."
In response to Rahul Gandhi's remarks regarding the Jamui incident, Yadav stated, "Rahul Gandhi, please do not politicize this issue. In the states governed by your party, where your influence is waning, focus on your own administration's performance. Examine the law and order situation, including the rates of rapes, robberies, and other crimes during your tenure."
Meanwhile, a viral video depicting the alleged harassment of two Class 10 students, including a girl, in Jamui has sparked a political uproar, with opposition leaders questioning the state's law enforcement effectiveness while the ruling party defends its actions.
The incident reportedly occurred on September 19 near the Jamui-Lakhisarai border when the two students were returning from coaching classes on a scooter and were allegedly intercepted by a group of young men.
The video circulating on social media shows the students being surrounded and subjected to inappropriate actions, with the girl reportedly molested and the boy assaulted. The video's release led to police intervention and significant political backlash.
Gandhi criticized the Bihar government for the incident, questioning why the suspects had not yet been apprehended. He described the video as alarming and stated that the students were harassed and humiliated.
He demanded that all individuals seen in the video be identified and prosecuted under the POCSO Act, calling for swift justice.
Gandhi also raised concerns about the safety of girls on Bihar's roads and sought clarification from the state government regarding the delay in arrests.
Tejashwi Yadav, the National Working President of RJD, also criticized the Bihar government, sharing the video on social media and alleging a decline in law and order.
He claimed that women and female students are no longer safe in the state and accused the NDA government of failing to protect vulnerable groups, including women, students, and Dalits.