New Delhi [India], September 21 : Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday criticised the BJP-led state government over incidents of crimes against women, referring to a viral video from Bihar’s Jamui district that shows a group of men allegedly confronting, harassing and molesting two Class 10 students on the road.
In a post on X, Kharge said such incidents expose what he called the “lies and hypocrisy” of the BJP’s ‘Nari Shakti Vandan’ and ‘Beti Bachao’ campaigns, while demanding strict punishment for those responsible.
"A shameful outrage occurred against a female student in Jamui, Bihar, and before that, the gang rape and murder of a 17-year-old daughter in Delhi... Such incidents scream to expose the lies and hypocrisy of the BJP's 'Nari Shakti Vandan' and 'Beti Bachao.' Our demand is clear - the harshest punishment for the culprits and accountability from state governments," Kharge said.
https://x.com/kharge/status/2101966406653010140?s=20
Earlier in the day, Congress leader and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi also strongly condemned the alleged incident.
Rahul Gandhi, in a post on X, expressed outrage regarding the incident and targeted the state administration over safety concerns and the delay in arrests, questioning how ordinary citizens can feel secure when minors are openly targeted.
“The video from Jamui, Bihar, is deeply disturbing. Two Class 10 students were stopped on a road. Harassed. Humiliated. Molested. A young girl, hands folded, begged to be let go while goons groped her and dragged her away. Who gave these men the right to behave like this? This is not 'culture.' It is patriarchy: the belief that any man can police a girl's body, her movement, her choices,” Rahul Gandhi wrote.
“When control is mistaken for culture, and such attitudes are normalised by Andhbhakts, mobs start believing they are the law. Every individual in that video must be identified and prosecuted under POCSO, and justice must be swift. And if the incident happened on September 19th, why are the culprits not behind bars yet? And the Bihar government must answer why a girl is not safe on a public road at 7 pm?” he added.
Meanwhile, Bihar Police launched a manhunt following the emergence of a viral video showing students molested on a public road in Jamui district, prompting swift condemnation from political leaders and an official investigation.
Speaking on the developments, Superintendent of Police, Jamui, Vishwajit Dayal confirmed that the authorities acted promptly after the footage surfaced, tracing the victim to record her formal statement.
"A video went viral this morning, and we received it as well. Based on that video, we identified the victim and recorded her statement. It was revealed that the incident took place around 7 PM on the 19th, showing some youths from the village engaging in molestation... Six or seven individuals are visible in the video. We have identified some of them," SP Vishwajit Dayal said.