Source NDTV
PATNA: A sharp political storm has broken out in Bihar after state cabinet minister Ashok Choudhary defended the government’s track record on women’s safety by claiming that sexual harassment and crime take place even in wealthy nations like the United States and Japan.
His remarks came at a time when public anger is running high over a series of shocking assault videos that surfaced online from Jamui and Samastipur districts. Instead of calming public anxiety, the minister’s comments have drawn heavy criticism from citizens and opposition leaders alike.
What Did the Minister Say?
Speaking to reporters in Patna, Ashok Choudhary pushed back against accusations that the state administration had lost control over law and order.
“Where in the world do crimes not happen? It occurs even in developed countries like the US and Japan; it is not specific just to Bihar,” Choudhary told reporters. He further argued that no leader in the world could guarantee that crimes would stop completely overnight.
The minister stressed that what truly matters is how quickly authorities take action once a crime is reported. He stated that the government would never protect anyone involved in wrongdoings and promised that the full force of the law would come down on the accused. He added that Bihar has a huge population of nearly 14 crore people, and a few wrongdoers should not be used to taint the entire image of the state.
Recent Incidents Trigger Outrage
The controversy follows disturbing videos that circulated widely on social media over the past few days. In one recent clip from Samastipur, a young woman was surrounded and harassed by a group of men while stopping near a local embankment road with an acquaintance.
Samastipur police reported that they tracked down the location quickly after spotting the video online. Officers registered cases under tough legal provisions, including the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, and arrested four suspects within hours. A similar case of public harassment in Jamui had earlier sparked outrage across the state.
Opposition Hits Back Strongly
Opposition parties quickly pounced on the minister’s statement, calling it insensitive and an attempt to brush off serious safety concerns.
Leader of the Opposition Tejashwi Yadav slammed the state government, alleging that law and order had completely collapsed. He questioned why women were facing daylight harassment in public spaces and accused the ruling coalition of failing to protect ordinary citizens. Congress leaders also joined the attack, stating that comparing local safety failures to other nations shows that the administration is out of touch with ground realities.
While the police have made arrests in the recent cases, the minister’s remarks have kept the spotlight firmly on whether Bihar’s streets are truly safe for women.
