Patna: A political storm has erupted in Bihar after Chief Minister Nitish Kumar removed the hijab of a Muslim female doctor during a public appointment ceremony in Patna on Monday. The incident, which was briefly streamed live before the feed was halted, has drawn sharp criticism from opposition leaders and Muslim organisations.
JKPDP President Mehbooba Mufti condemned the act, saying: “I was deeply shocked to see a young woman’s veil being pulled off. Is this a sign of old age or a public insult to Muslims? Mr. Nitish, perhaps it’s time for you to step down.”
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The incident occurred during a ceremony distributing appointment letters to AYUSH doctors and engineers of the Bihar State Power Holding Company Limited. According to witnesses, the Chief Minister handed the appointment letter to Dr Nusrat before asking about her hijab. When she explained it was a hijab, he reportedly said, “Remove it,” and then removed it himself. Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary appeared to try to intervene, pulling at the CM’s sleeve, while officials quickly handed the doctor her appointment letter and asked her to leave. Some attendees reportedly laughed during the episode.
The incident has drawn swift political backlash. The Congress party called for Nitish Kumar’s resignation, questioning the safety of women under his leadership. The RJD demanded answers, asking if the Chief Minister was “becoming a Sanghi,” and announced a press conference to address the matter.
Asaduddin Owaisi, president of the AIMIM, described the act as “unacceptable under any circumstances” and called for an apology. In a statement, he said: “When a state’s Chief Minister engages in such behaviour, who can guarantee the honour and safety of Muslim women? AIMIM stands firmly to protect the honour and hijab of women.”
बिहार के मुख्यमंत्री @NitishKumar द्वारा एक सम्मानित महिला डॉक्टर परवीन के नक़ाब पर हाथ डालना किसी भी सूरत में क़ाबिले-बर्दाश्त नहीं है। अगर मुख्यमंत्री में ज़रा-सी भी नैतिकता और शर्मो-हया बाक़ी है, तो उन्हें तत्काल माफ़ी माँगनी चाहिए।
जब एक राज्य का मुख्यमंत्री ही इस तरह की हरकत… pic.twitter.com/qGjDweEyaZ— AIMIM (@aimim_national) December 15, 2025
Zaira Wasim, a Muslim woman leader from Srinagar, also called on Nitish Kumar to apologise unconditionally, writing on social media that “women’s dignity and modesty are not toys to be trifled with, especially on a public platform.”
Bihar government ministers have defended the Chief Minister. Jama Khan stated that Nitish Kumar “respects everyone and loves all communities” and suggested that criticism of the CM was unfair given his contributions to the state.
The controversy comes at a politically sensitive time in Bihar, where issues of religious identity and women’s rights are increasingly in the spotlight. The incident has sparked widespread debate on social media, with calls for accountability and discussions about the intersection of power, religion, and personal freedoms.
