JDU state president Umesh Kushwaha Monday said the state government is sensitive to any “isolated incident (chutput ghatna)” that takes place (jduumeshsingh/Instagram | Screengrab)As the assault and molestation of two teenagers by a group of men in Bihar’s Jamui led to national outrage, JDU state president Umesh Kushwaha Monday said the state government is sensitive to any “isolated incident (chutput ghatna)” that takes place, and people should recall the time before 2005, when the RJD was in power and people were afraid of stepping out of their homes.The JDU-BJP coalition is in power in the state.“Whenever such an isolated incident occurs, our government is sensitive to it. But look at the period before 2005, what kind of Bihar was it? Could people even step out of their homes? What kind of Bihar was it, and what was the situation? People were somehow struggling through their lives. Today, at least when such an incident occurs, the administration is taking action and responding. Whoever has committed this incident, no matter how big a criminal they may be, will soon be taken into police custody,” he said.Congress’s Rahul Gandhi called the video “deeply disturbing”. “Two students were stopped on a road. Harassed. Humiliated. Molested. A young girl, hands folded, begged to be let go while goons groped her and dragged her away,” he posted on X. “Who gave these men the right to behave like this? This is not ‘culture.’ It is patriarchy: the belief that any man can police a girl’s body, her movement, her choices. When control is mistaken for culture, and such attitudes are normalised by Andhbhakts, mobs start believing they are the law.”ALSO READ | Amit Shah’s Uniform Civil Code plan hits a bump in Bihar“Every individual in that video must be identified and prosecuted under POCSO, and justice must be swift. And if the incident happened on September 19th, why are the culprits not behind bars yet? And the Bihar government must answer why a girl is not safe on a public road at 7 pm?” he wrote.Opposition RJD’s Tejashwi Yadav said that “anarchy has broken out in Bihar” and “no female student or woman is safe anywhere, anytime”.“The Prime Minister, who promised women Rs 10,000 in cash and Rs 2 lakh more after the elections, has turned into a silent sage on such incidents. Under the NDA government, there has been an unprecedented increase in atrocities against women, students, the poor, and Dalits,” he posted on X.Himanshu Harsh is a Correspondent with The Indian Express, currently leading on-the-ground coverage in Bihar. With a reporting career rooted in the complexities of the National Capital Region (NCR), Himanshu specializes in the critical intersection of law, crime, and civic governance. Professional Expertise & Credentials An alumnus of the prestigious Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), Delhi, Himanshu brings a rigorous academic foundation to his investigative work. His expertise is characterized by a "ground-up" reporting style, most notably demonstrated during his extensive coverage of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, where he analyzed shifting political landscapes and grassroots sentiment. Specialized Beats Himanshu’s portfolio reflects versatility, allowing him to navigate diverse industries and social issues: Civic & Legal Affairs: Extensive experience covering the Delhi reporting beat, focusing on policy implementation and judicial impact. Automotive Industry: A technical background in reporting on India’s evolving transport and automotive sectors. Social Fabric & Human Interest: Beyond hard news, he is known for exploring the changing social dynamics of India’s urban and rural heartlands, bringing a human-centric lens to systemic issues. Personal Interests & Digital Literacy Outside the newsroom, Himanshu’s deep engagement with technology and gaming informs his understanding of digital trends and the modern information economy. A trained DJ with a passion for music, his diverse personal interests contribute to a well-rounded perspective that resonates across both traditional and digital media platforms. ... Read More