4 hrs ago
Bihar Minister Defends Government Amid Sexual Assault Cases
Several alleged sexual assault and harassment incidents have been reported in parts of Bihar.
In Samastipur, a girl was allegedly harassed in public, and four people were arrested.
Similar cases were reported in Jamui and Darbhanga.
Minister Ashok Choudhary said the government acted quickly in the cases.
He also said such crimes happen in other countries, including the United States and Japan.
The minister argued that the important issue is whether authorities protect offenders or punish them.
A Congress leader disagreed and said criminals may believe they can get bail after going to jail.
The minister said Bihar’s government would use the full force of the law against perpetrators.
Four people were arrested after a girl was allegedly harassed in public in Bihar’s Samastipur district.
The Samastipur incident followed similar alleged molestation cases reported in Jamui and Darbhanga.
Minister Ashok Choudhary said authorities acted within 12 hours in Samastipur and 24 hours in Jamui.
Choudhary said such incidents also occur in the United States and Japan, but insisted perpetrators must face the law.
Congress leader Shakeel Ahmed Khan alleged criminals expect to obtain bail after being jailed, showing the government’s authority has weakened.
- Who
- Bihar Minister Ashok Choudhary, four Samastipur suspects, Congress leader Shakeel Ahmed Khan, and the alleged victims and perpetrators mentioned in the reports.
- What
- Authorities are investigating alleged public harassment and sexual assault incidents in Samastipur, Jamui, and Darbhanga.
- Where
- Samastipur, Jamui, and Darbhanga districts in Bihar, India.
- When
- The Samastipur arrests were reported on Thursday; the minister said action occurred within 12 hours in Samastipur and 24 hours in Jamui.
- Why
- The incidents prompted questions about public safety and whether the Bihar government is effectively enforcing the law.
Government Defense
Opposition Criticism
Government authority
Government Defense
Ashok Choudhary said the government retains authority and is taking immediate action against alleged perpetrators.
Opposition Criticism
Shakeel Ahmed Khan claimed the government’s writ no longer runs in Bihar because criminals believe they can obtain bail after being jailed.
How to discuss the incidents
Government Defense
Choudhary warned journalists not to set a negative narrative and said the key question was whether authorities were shielding offenders or taking action.
Opposition Criticism
Journalists questioned whether the government still had authority and how people could safely walk on the streets amid repeated incidents.
Whether such crimes can be prevented entirely
Government Defense
Choudhary said no chief minister or world leader can guarantee that such incidents will never occur, but promised the full force of the law against perpetrators.
Opposition Criticism
The criticism implied that recurring incidents and expectations of bail indicate inadequate deterrence and enforcement.
Key facts
- Samastipur incident
- A girl was allegedly harassed in public by a group of people who behaved indecently with her.
- Arrests
- Four accused were arrested in connection with the Samastipur incident.
- Other reported cases
- Similar alleged molestation cases were reported in Jamui and Darbhanga.
- Government response
- Ashok Choudhary said action was taken within 12 hours in Samastipur and 24 hours in Jamui.
- Minister’s comparison
- Choudhary said such incidents also occur in the United States and Japan.
- Opposition criticism
- Shakeel Ahmed Khan said criminals expect to go to jail and then obtain bail.
- Population reference
- Choudhary referred to Bihar as having a population of 14 crore.
Quotes
Ashok Choudhary
Bihar minister responding to a journalist's question about government authority
“No Chief Minister or world leader can claim that incidents will not occur from tomorrow onwards. However, the established precedent set by Nitish Kumar is that if such incidents do take place, the full force of the law - like a bulldozer - will be brought down upon the perpetrators,”
NDTV
“What truly matters is whether the government intends to shield the perpetrators or if we are failing to take action against them - that is the crucial point,”
NDTV
Sources
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