Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar appeared to make an emotional gesture towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Patna airport on Thursday when he attempted to touch the Prime Minister’s feet. Mr Modi was in the state capital to attend Mr Kumar’s swearing in ceremony.
A video circulating widely on social media shows Mr Kumar bending forward as the Prime Minister prepared to board his aircraft. Mr Modi quickly stopped him, holding the Chief Minister by the shoulders and clasping his hands while offering a few polite words before walking up the airstairs. The moment drew strong reactions online, with many users recalling that Mr Kumar had displayed similar deference during a rally held in the run up to the Lok Sabha elections last year. Commentators noted the unusual nature of the gesture as Mr Kumar is only a few months younger than the Prime Minister.
The brief exchange at the airport took place shortly after the swearing in ceremony, which marked another political turn in Bihar. Although the video lasted only a few seconds, it attracted extensive public attention and sparked debate on social media about political etiquette and personal conduct among senior leaders. The Chief Minister did not comment on the incident, and there was no formal statement from either side regarding the gesture. However, the visual made its way across platforms through the day, with users sharing varied interpretations of the scene.
The Prime Minister departed from Patna soon after the exchange, concluding his short visit to the state.
