Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Sep 21: Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Monday criticised the alleged molestation of two Class 10 students in Bihar’s Jamui district and questioned the delay in the arrest of those involved, while raising concerns over the safety of girls and women in public spaces.
In a post on X, Gandhi said the video purportedly showing the incident was “deeply disturbing” and alleged that the two students were stopped on a road, harassed, humiliated and molested.
He said a young girl could be seen with her hands folded and pleading to be let go while the men allegedly 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,” Gandhi said.
He also alleged that such attitudes were being normalised by “Andhbhakts”, saying that when control was mistaken for culture, mobs could begin to believe that they were the law.
Gandhi said the Bihar government must explain why a girl was not safe while travelling on a public road.
“Every individual in that video must be identified and prosecuted under POCSO, and justice must be swift,” he said.
He also questioned why the alleged accused were not behind bars if the incident had taken place on September 19.
“And the Bihar government must answer why a girl is not safe on a public road at 7 pm,” Gandhi said.
The incident came to light after a video purportedly showing the alleged harassment and molestation of a boy and a girl, both reportedly Class 10 students of a private school in Jamui town, surfaced on social media.
The two students were reportedly travelling on a scooter after attending coaching classes when they were allegedly stopped by a group of people.
According to an official, the incident took place in the border area between Jamui and Lakhisarai, near the jurisdiction of Jamui Town police station.
The video allegedly shows a group of people stopping the two students and molesting the girl.
At one point, one of the men is purportedly seen grabbing the girl by the neck and lifting her off the ground while holding her from underneath.
The boy accompanying her reportedly ran towards her and intervened. During the ensuing scuffle, one of the men allegedly touched the girl inappropriately.
When the boy objected, he was also reportedly assaulted.
One of the persons present allegedly recorded the incident, following which the video was shared on social media.
The authenticity and precise circumstances surrounding the video have not been independently verified.
The circulation of the video has triggered concern among local residents, particularly over the safety of girls and women travelling through the area.
Jamui police have taken cognisance of the matter and launched an investigation.
Two individuals have been arrested in connection with the incident and are being questioned, police said.
Investigators are also examining the video to identify other persons who may have been involved.
DSP, Cyber, Abhishek Kumar said the incident had come to the police’s attention and that an investigation was underway.
He said preliminary information indicated that the incident occurred in the border area between Jamui and Lakhisarai.
The officer said the exact circumstances and other details would become clear only after completion of the investigation.
Police are continuing efforts to identify all those involved and establish the circumstances surrounding the alleged incident.