Viral Video of Mob Assault on Woman in Bihar's Nalanda District Sparks Political Firestorm
A disturbing video that went viral on social media on Tuesday has triggered a sharp political backlash in Bihar. The footage allegedly shows a large mob parading and assaulting a woman in the Noor Sarai area of Nalanda district, with the incident reportedly occurring a few days before coming to light online.
Opposition Parties Launch Scathing Attacks on Ruling Alliance
The opposition swiftly targeted the ruling NDA alliance, led by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's JDU and the BJP, over what they called a "collapsed" law and order situation in the state. Tejashwi Yadav, the Leader of the Opposition in the Bihar assembly, condemned the incident as a "shameful" event occurring in the home district of the chief minister.
"It was a gang rape attempt. Those who misbehaved with the woman tore off her clothes. The incident presents a scary picture of the collapsed law and order in Bihar," Yadav alleged in a strongly worded statement.
Comparisons Drawn to Manipur Incident
The political rhetoric intensified as parties drew parallels with the Manipur incident where two women were paraded naked by a mob. The Bihar Congress party stated that the Nalanda case reflected a similar pattern of brutality, warning that "even before becoming the chief minister of BJP, the beginning of brutality akin to Manipur has occurred from Nitish Kumar's home district in Bihar!"
The Congress party echoed these concerns, describing how "the woman was subjected to utterly disgusting treatment. The thugs publicly tore the woman's clothes and made a video of it, which they then spread virally." They added that "this incident is a stain on society" and called for the harshest punishments for those responsible.
Accusations of "Jungle Raj" and Criminal Protection
Sharpening their attack, opposition parties accused the ruling alliance of creating an environment where criminals operate with impunity. The RJD took a swipe at the JDU government on social media, posting: "Nitish Kumar's so-called 'good governance' is at its peak!"
The Congress party further alleged that "this incident shows that 'jungle raj' prevails entirely in Bihar and women are not safe," while accusing the BJP-JDU government of "providing protection to criminals, and now those very criminals are roaming the streets openly and carrying out such atrocities."
Police Action and Ongoing Investigation
According to police reports, the woman filed a formal complaint on March 26, following which two accused individuals—identified as Ashok Yadav and Matlu Mahto, both residents of Ajaypur village—were arrested. Law enforcement authorities have confirmed that efforts are currently underway to apprehend other individuals visible in the viral video.
The incident has reignited debates about women's safety and governance in Bihar, with political parties leveraging the viral footage to criticize the state administration ahead of potential electoral battles. The video's circulation has put additional pressure on authorities to ensure swift justice and demonstrate effective law enforcement capabilities in the region.
