Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has landed in a political storm after a video surfaced showing him pulling down the niqab of a Muslim woman during a government event in Patna. The incident, which took place on Monday at the state secretariat ‘Samvad’, has drawn sharp criticism from opposition parties, with the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and the Congress questioning the chief minister’s conduct and mental state.
The video, shared by the official X handles of RJD and the Bihar Congress, shows Nitish Kumar interacting with a woman AYUSH doctor while distributing appointment letters. As the woman approached the dais wearing a niqab, the chief minister was seen frowning and remarking, “What is this?” before leaning forward and pulling down the veil covering her face. An official quickly moved the woman aside, while Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary appeared to restrain Nitish Kumar by tugging at his sleeve.
Though the authenticity of the video has not been independently verified by Hindustan Times, it has triggered widespread outrage. The RJD, in a post on X, said Nitish Kumar’s mental condition had reached an “utterly pitiable” state and questioned whether he was now fully aligned with RSS-BJP ideology. The Bihar Congress went a step further, demanding his immediate resignation, calling the act “shameful and reprehensible” and raising concerns over women’s safety in the state.
The Congress also clarified that the woman was wearing a niqab, not a hijab, stressing the distinction between the two. A hijab is a headscarf, while a niqab covers the face.
According to official information, the event involved the distribution of appointment letters to over 1,200 AYUSH doctors, including practitioners of Ayurveda, Homeopathy and Unani medicine. Ten candidates received letters in person from the chief minister.
So far, neither Nitish Kumar nor his party JD(U), nor ally BJP, has issued a formal response to the controversy, even as political reactions continue to mount.
