New Delhi/Patna: Patna’s Chief Minister Nitish Kumar met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi on Monday for a roughly 30-minute discussion, amid ongoing controversy over a recent incident involving a female doctor and her hijab. Union Minister Lalan Singh and Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary were also present.
The delegation arrived together at the Prime Minister’s residence and is expected to hold further talks with Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Reports suggest the meetings will focus on three main areas: the hijab controversy, cabinet expansion in Bihar, and financial issues relating to state policies, including the implementation of the Rs 10,000 women’s employment scheme.
This marks CM Nitish’s first visit to the national capital following his landslide victory in the recent Bihar Assembly elections.
After meeting PM Modi, CM Nitish Kumar proceeded to Amit Shah’s residence, where the two leaders met for approximately 20 minutes. Discussions reportedly included Bihar’s development roadmap and plans for the upcoming Rajya Sabha seat.
The hijab controversy stems from an incident on December 15, when he was distributing appointment letters to AYUSH doctors. During the event, he reportedly instructed a female doctor, Nusrat Parveen, to remove her hijab and removed it himself, while Deputy CM Samrat Choudhary tried to intervene. The incident drew domestic and international attention, with statements about the Chief Minister circulating widely. Nusrat has not yet joined her post following the incident.
Political observers suggest the matter may influence voter sentiment in the run-up to the 2026 Bengal elections, with the National Democratic Alliance keen to manage its wider implications.
