PATNA, Dec 4: A video of JD(U) MLA Vibha Devi struggling to read her oath during the first session of the newly elected Bihar Assembly has gone viral, sparking debate over the educational preparedness of elected representatives. The incident occurred as MLAs were called one by one to take their oath, with Vibha Devi pausing repeatedly and seeking help from a fellow member seated beside her.
The clip shows Vibha Devi, who represents the Nawada constituency, hesitating over portions of the oath in Hindi and prompting the adjacent MLA to dictate lines. She managed to complete the oath with assistance, but the moment drew sharp reactions online, with many users questioning the absence of minimum educational qualifications for legislators even as government jobs require specific thresholds.
Vibha Devi, who comes from a politically prominent family, won her seat in the recent election by a significant margin. Her struggle during the oath has reignited discussions on whether literacy and basic proficiency standards should be introduced for public office, and whether parties should strengthen candidate training before key ceremonial proceedings.
Supporters argued that nervousness and the high-pressure environment of the Assembly could have contributed to the stumble, while critics said the episode reflected broader concerns over candidate selection and readiness. Several commentators highlighted that oath-taking is a formal constitutional act and called for rehearsals and language support to avoid avoidable controversies.
The Assembly session, which opened with newly elected members pledging to serve their constituencies, continued without disruption following the incident. Party leaders refrained from formal comment, while online debates intensified around political accountability, voter expectations, and the balance between representational democracy and competency norms.
