Guv offer help to girl students, triggers spat

Bihar Governor Satya Pal Mallik asking girls studying in state universities to report directly to the Raj Bhavan any complaints of molestation or sexual harassment on campuses has triggered a political spat between Opposition RJD and ruling JD(U) over prevailing law and order situation.

At a function organized by office-bearers of students unions of various universities here on Thursday, Mallik who is also the chancellor of universities in the state in his ex-officio capacity had said that officers have been deputed in Raj Bhavan and given special telephone numbers for attending such complaints and helping the victims.

Reacting sharply to the news, Tejashwi tweeted in Hindi "Extremely Shameful! The Governor is aware that law and order is in a shameful mess under Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's rule. The Chief Minister himself holds the home department which is mired in corruption. Now you can understand how bad must be the situation in Bihar which has compelled the Governor to intervene and take cognizance of womens' harassment."

Janata Dal (United), which is headed by Nitish Kumar, reacted angrily to the allegations levelled by the RJD heir apparent.

"RJD leaders are trying to act too smart. Entire Bihar remembers the terror and lawlessness they had to suffer while the party enjoyed power in the state for full 15 years. The Governor is not separate from the government and his utterance only underscored the governments sensitivity," Neeraj Kumar, JD(U) spokesman and an MLC, said in a statement.