Jamui molestation video sparks outrage, NCW takes note

A video from Bihar's Jamui district has gone viral, showing a group of men stopping a boy and girl who were riding a motorbike and harassing and misbehaving with them. The video spread rapidly on social media, sparking widespread anger.

Rohini Khadse, state women's president of the Nationalist Congress Party Sharadchandra Pawar faction, reacted sharply on social media. She wrote that watching the video left her deeply disturbed and angry, and strongly condemned the alleged harassment of the minor girl.

In her post, Khadse also referred to another incident in Maharashtra, saying an eight-year-old girl visiting Sinhagad had worn Bermuda shorts, after which some people had picked a fight with and assaulted her father. Citing both incidents, she questioned those who call themselves self-appointed "guardians of culture".

"This is a mob of blind followers, and this mob keeps growing. Who is encouraging them? Have they lost all fear of the law?" Khadse asked, adding that the government needs to take strict action to rein in such incidents.

In her post, she wrote that the Bihar video was deeply disturbing and infuriating. She said these self-styled "guardians of culture" had outraged the modesty of the girl, who is a class 10 student. She noted a similar incident had earlier occurred in Maharashtra, when an eight-year-old girl visiting Sinhagad in Bermuda shorts was targeted.

The National Commission for Women has taken suo motu cognisance of the Jamui incident. Citing allegations of harassment, unlawful restraint, assault and outraging the modesty of the minor girl, the commission has written to Bihar's Director General of Police. It has directed that the accused be identified from the video footage and arrested, and that a fair investigation be completed within a fixed time frame. Commission chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar has taken the matter seriously.

Jamui Superintendent of Police Vishwajeet Dayal confirmed the incident. According to the victim's statement, it took place around 7 pm on September 19. Police said six to seven people can be seen in the video. Some suspects have been identified and an FIR has been registered. The SP said three accused have been arrested so far in the case.