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Tuesday, December 16, 2025
A video showing Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar pulling down the hijab of a female doctor during a government function has drawn sharp criticism from opposition parties and social activists. The incident occurred on Monday at the ‘Samvad’ conference hall in the state capital, where the Chief Minister was distributing appointment letters to newly recruited Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy (AYUSH) practitioners.
Footage circulated widely on social media captures the 75-year-old Janata Dal (United) (JD(U)) leader interacting with candidates on the dais. As a woman doctor approached to receive her letter, Kumar appeared to gesture towards her face covering. He was heard asking, “What is this?” before leaning forward and lifting her veil.
Witnesses observed that the woman appeared visibly flustered following the interaction and was subsequently guided away by an official. Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, who was standing beside Kumar, was seen attempting to tug at the Chief Minister’s sleeve, seemingly to restrain him.
The event was organized to formalize the appointment of 1,283 doctors under the state’s AYUSH system. While the majority of candidates received their letters digitally, a select group of ten individuals was chosen to accept the documents personally from the Chief Minister.
Opposition parties characterized the act as a violation of personal dignity and cultural rights. The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) described the incident as reflective of a “disturbing mindset” within the ruling coalition. RJD spokesperson Ejaz Ahmad stated that forcibly removing a veil from a woman observing purdah infringes upon religious rights guaranteed by the Constitution of India.
The Indian National Congress demanded Kumar’s resignation, terming his actions “shameless” and “unforgivable. The party issued a statement arguing that a leader who publicly disregards a woman’s agency lacks the moral authority to address issues of women’s safety.
Abu Azmi, the state president of the Samajwadi Party, condemned the behavior as disrespectful to a person of the Chief Minister’s stature. “If a woman wears a burqa, it is her personal choice,” Azmi told reporters, demanding an unconditional apology. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Priyanka Chaturvedi labeled the act as “public harassment.”
In response to the backlash, members of the ruling government defended Kumar’s intentions. Bihar Minority Welfare Minister Zama Khan asserted that the Chief Minister acted out of “affection” and intended to showcase the face of a “successful daughter” to the audience. Khan dismissed the criticism as an attempt by the opposition to defame the Chief Minister.
This is not the first time Kumar’s conduct has faced scrutiny, though JD(U) leaders maintain that isolated incidents do not define his governance.
