Bihar Minister Ram Kripal Yadav on Tuesday, 22 September condemned the alleged molestation of a teenage girl in Jamui district, calling the incident 'extremely unfortunate and condemnable' and asserting that the state government had taken it seriously. He also urged Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi not to politicise the matter, even as the case triggered a sharp political confrontation in Patna.

What the Minister Said

'The Jamui incident is extremely unfortunate and condemnable. No matter how strongly this incident is condemned, it would not be enough,' Yadav said. He assured that strict action was being initiated against all those responsible and confirmed that arrested accused would be booked under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and given 'the strictest possible punishment.'

Yadav also called for a broader societal reckoning, stating, 'Families will have to give morals, not just education.' He added that individuals with 'low mentality' must change with the times — remarks that reflect a recurring refrain from ruling-alliance leaders who pair law enforcement assurances with appeals to social responsibility.

The Incident in Jamui

The alleged harassment reportedly took place on 19 September near the Jamui-Lakhisarai border, in a hilly area. According to police, two Class 10 students — including a girl — had finished coaching classes and were returning on a scooter when a group of youths allegedly stopped them. The girl was allegedly molested and the boy was assaulted. A video of the incident later surfaced on social media, prompting police action and a wave of political criticism.

Opposition Demands and Political Fallout

Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi described the video as 'disturbing' in a post on X (formerly Twitter), questioning why all those allegedly involved had not yet been arrested. He called for every individual visible in the footage to be identified and prosecuted under POCSO, and raised broader concerns about the safety of girls travelling on Bihar's roads.

Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) National Working President Tejashwi Yadav also shared the video on X, alleging a deterioration in law and order across Bihar. He claimed that women, students, the poor and Dalits were no longer safe under the current National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government in the state.

Government's Counter and Criticism of Gandhi

Minister Yadav pushed back sharply against Rahul Gandhi, saying: 'Rahul Gandhi, do not politicise the issue. In the states where your governments are in power… look at your states and examine the performance of your governments. See how law and order was violated, how many rapes, robberies, dacoities, thefts, murders, mass killings and mass rapes took place during that period.'

This comes amid a pattern in which high-profile crime incidents in Bihar — particularly those involving women and children — quickly escalate into state-versus-Centre or ruling-versus-opposition flashpoints. Notably, the video's viral spread amplified scrutiny far beyond the local level, forcing a response from senior ministers within days of the reported incident.

What Happens Next

Police have confirmed arrests are ongoing and that the POCSO Act will be invoked against those apprehended. The Opposition, however, has continued to press the state government for a full accounting of all individuals seen in the footage. The case is likely to remain politically charged as Bihar moves closer to its next electoral cycle, with law and order — particularly the safety of women and students — expected to feature prominently in campaign narratives.