Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Tuesday, 22 September sharply criticised both the Central and state governments over the Jamui molestation case, arguing that large-scale government schemes hold little meaning if authorities cannot guarantee women's safety on public streets. Speaking to reporters in Wayanad, Kerala, she said crimes against women are escalating at an alarming pace across the country.

What Priyanka Gandhi Said

'It's horrible, and crimes against women are increasing. Crimes against women are just increasing. It's become unsafe for women. It was always unsafe; it has just become more and more increasingly violent towards women,' she told reporters.

She added: 'I think there's no point talking about big schemes and programmes if we can't even ensure the safety of women on our streets. So it's really something that all of us need to think about. Wherever there are state governments, and especially the central government, they need to think about how they are going to ensure that women feel safe.'

The Jamui Incident

The remarks were prompted by a widely circulated incident in the Madwa Pahar area of Jamui district, Bihar, which took place late on Saturday evening. According to the FIR, a minor girl student was allegedly stopped and molested by a group of youths while returning from the area. A male student accompanying her was also allegedly assaulted. The case came to public attention after a video of the incident began circulating on social media on Sunday evening, prompting the district administration to contact the victim's family and formally register a case.

Arrests and Police Action

Jamui police have arrested Nandan Yadav, identified as the alleged prime accused, following a police encounter in which he sustained a gunshot injury to his leg, officials said on Tuesday. He was identified through the viral video footage, in which he was seen wearing a red gamchha, and has since been admitted to hospital for treatment.

Police have also arrested Ramashish Chaudhary, accused of circulating the video online. With these latest arrests, five individuals have been taken into custody so far, including three juveniles.

Social Media Crackdown

In a parallel action, police have registered FIRs against operators of 120 social media profiles across multiple platforms. According to officials, these individuals are accused of sharing the video or disclosing information capable of revealing the identity of the minor victim — both offences under Indian law. This response reflects growing police scrutiny of the secondary spread of crime-related content online, which can compound trauma for victims and their families.

Wider Context

Priyanka Gandhi's remarks add a pointed political dimension to the incident, coming days before her address at a public event in Wayanad — the constituency she represents in the Lok Sabha. This is not the first time Bihar has been the scene of a high-profile crime against a minor that went viral, triggering national outrage and demands for administrative accountability. Critics argue that repeat incidents indicate systemic gaps in ground-level policing, particularly in rural areas after dark. How the Bihar government responds in the coming days — including whether it orders a magisterial inquiry — will be closely watched.