PATNA: Perhaps Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had not imagined that social media, which helped him win the Assembly elections, can bring embarrassment to his government as well. This seems to be the case after a few videos and photographs emerged on Facebook and Twitter indicating poor law and order in the state.
In the latest embarrassment to the state government, a video showing a senior jail official molesting a girl went viral on social media. Kishanganj jail superintendent Kripa Shankar Pandey’s act was caught on camera, following which a sexual assault case was lodged against him. But, this was not the end of the controversy surrounding Pandey.
Soon after the jailor’s arrest, another picture was circulated on social media where he is seen enjoying all comforts of a home, including a mobile phone. The state government quickly moved to damage control mode and suspended the SHO of Kishanganj Sadar police station. The CM said: “I have sought an explanation from the jail officials on the entire episode.”
Earlier, photographs of the state minorities affairs minister Abdul Ghafoor was circulated on the Internet where he was seen feasting inside Siwan jail with murder convict and former MP Mohammad Shahabuddin. The photograph gave opportunity to the Opposition to attack the CM for “going soft on violations of jail manuals”.
“Social media is a double-edged sword and the government can’t afford to ignore it. This media has exposed the government,” BJP leader Nand Kishore Yadav said.
JD(U) leader Niraj Kumar defended the government and argued that social media has helped the administration to take quick action in every incident.