"This Is Not Culture," Rahul Gandhi Attacks Bihar Govt On Jamui Molestation, Mob Violence Case

Three people have been arrested and an FIR registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO) after videos showing a Class 10 boy and girl being allegedly harassed by a group of men in Bihar’s Jamui district surfaced online.

The incident reportedly took place around 7 pm on September 19 when the two minors, who are friends, had gone out after attending coaching classes. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday demanded that everyone involved in the incident be identified and prosecuted under POCSO.

Rahul Gandhi Questions Bihar Govt Over Girls’ Safety

Reacting to the videos, Gandhi said the Bihar government must explain “why a girl is not safe on a public road at 7 pm”.

“Every individual in that video must be identified and prosecuted under POCSO, and justice must be swift,” the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha said in a post on X.

Gandhi described the visuals as “deeply disturbing” and alleged that the girl was harassed and humiliated while the boy was separated from her.

He also questioned why the accused were not arrested earlier if the incident had taken place on September 19.

Calling the behaviour shown in the video “patriarchy”, Gandhi said, “This is not ‘culture’.”

Jamui Police Form SIT, Three Arrested

According to the Hindustan Times, Jamui Superintendent of Police Dayal said the police became aware of the incident after the videos circulated online. The SP added that the two students had gone to the area to take photographs after attending coaching classes.

Dayal said the victims had not initially filed a formal complaint but approached the police on Monday after officers contacted them. An FIR was subsequently registered under POCSO and other relevant sections.

Although no accused was named in the FIR, police identified six to seven people seen in the videos during the investigation. A special investigation team (SIT) has been formed and three accused have been arrested, police said.

The videos show a group surrounding the two minors, with several men confronting the girl. In one clip, a man whose face is covered appears to physically restrain and grope her as she resists. The boy is later seen trying to intervene. In another video, the two minors are seen on a two-wheeler appearing to plead with the group to let them leave.