Patna, Bihar | December 16, 2025
A viral video from a government function in Patna has ignited a fierce political row, with opposition leaders accusing Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar of disrespecting a Muslim woman's religious attire. The incident, which occurred during the distribution of appointment letters to newly recruited AYUSH doctors, has drawn sharp criticism from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), and Congress, who have labeled the act as an assault on personal freedoms and women's dignity.
The controversy erupted on Monday, December 15, when Kumar was handing over appointment letters to 1,283 AYUSH doctors at the Chief Minister's Office in Patna. The event was organized to underscore the NDA government's efforts to bolster Bihar's healthcare infrastructure and expand medical education. Among the recipients was Nusrat Parveen, a newly appointed Muslim doctor wearing a hijab. As Parveen approached the podium to receive her letter, Kumar gestured toward her headscarf, inquired about it, and then proceeded to pull it down himself, briefly exposing her face. The 11-second clip, captured on video, shows Parveen appearing visibly uncomfortable, while some attendees in the background could be heard laughing. Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary was seen attempting to intervene.
The footage quickly spread across social media, prompting widespread outrage. AAP Chief National Spokesperson Priyanka Kakkar, a prominent lawyer and Penn Alumni, led the charge against Kumar in a strongly worded statement. "If a Man can remove my veil today, who decides tomorrow?" Kakkar asked, framing the incident as a dangerous precedent that undermines women's autonomy and religious rights. She further condemned the act as emblematic of patriarchal overreach, urging citizens to reflect on the implications for personal boundaries in public spaces.
Kakkar's remarks resonated deeply amid a broader chorus of condemnation from opposition parties. The RJD, a key rival in Bihar's polarized politics, shared the video on X (formerly Twitter) and questioned Kumar's mental state, with spokesperson Ejaz Ahmed stating, "The removal of the hijab from a Muslim woman’s face clearly reveals the NDA government’s attitude towards the Muslim community." The party accused Kumar of pandering to the BJP and RSS, abandoning his earlier progressive stance in favor of "100% Sanghi" politics—a term implying alignment with right-wing Hindu nationalist ideologies. The Indian Constitution, Ahmed emphasized, guarantees freedom to follow religious traditions without interference.
Congress echoed these sentiments, branding the episode a "disgusting act" and demanding Kumar's immediate resignation. Party leaders highlighted the incident as a "vile" violation of dignity, particularly at an official event meant to celebrate professional milestones for women in healthcare. "This is Bihar’s Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. Look at his shamelessness," one Congress post on X read, amplifying calls for accountability.
As of Tuesday morning, Kumar's office has not issued an official response to the backlash. The event's organizers described it as a ceremonial distribution aimed at empowering young doctors, but the hijab episode has overshadowed the government's narrative on healthcare advancements. Critics argue the act not only embarrasses the state but also risks alienating Bihar's significant Muslim population ahead of upcoming electoral battles.
This is not the first time Kumar has faced scrutiny over his public conduct; past gaffes have fueled perceptions of eccentricity. However, the timing—amid heightened national debates on religious attire and gender norms—has amplified the fallout. Rights activists and women's groups are monitoring the situation closely, with some calling for an independent inquiry to ensure such incidents do not recur in government proceedings.
The opposition's unified front underscores deepening rifts in Bihar's political landscape, where alliances shift frequently but grievances over minority rights remain a flashpoint. As Kakkar poignantly put it, the question of "who decides tomorrow" now hangs over not just one veil, but the fragile balance of personal liberty in public life.
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