Daijiworld Media Network - Patna
Patna, Dec 18: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has come under intense political scrutiny after a video surfaced showing him pulling down the hijab of a woman doctor during an official appointment letter distribution programme for newly recruited AYUSH doctors at his residence. The video, shared by the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), sparked sharp criticism from opposition parties, calling the act inappropriate and humiliating.
In the video, the woman doctor, identified as Nusrat Parveen, approached the stage with her face covered, prompting Kumar to ask, “What is this?”, before bending down and removing her veil. The woman appeared flustered as officials intervened, while Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary tried to restrain the CM. The programme involved the distribution of appointment letters to 1,283 AYUSH doctors, though only ten received them in person.
BJP leaders came to Kumar’s defense, with Union Minister Giriraj Singh asserting that the CM “did nothing wrong,” describing his action as procedural and akin to verifying identity, similar to showing one’s face at airports or passport offices. Singh emphasised that the incident should not be viewed through a religious lens and reiterated, “This is India and it will be governed by the rule of law. What Nitish Kumar did is correct.”
Opposition parties, including the RJD, Congress, AAP and Shiv Sena (UBT), condemned the incident, calling it a violation of women’s dignity and safety. RJD MP Manoj Jha described the visuals as “unsettling,” while Congress MP Sukhdeo Bhagat termed the act “shameless” and “vile,” demanding Kumar’s resignation. Shiv Sena MP Priyanka Chaturvedi stressed that no one, irrespective of position, had the right to publicly humiliate a woman over attire.
The row intensified after Uttar Pradesh minister Sanjay Nishad defended the CM in controversial remarks widely criticised as misogynistic, though he later claimed misinterpretation and offered to withdraw comments that hurt sentiments. BJP leaders also shared an old video of former Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot removing a woman’s ghoonghat, arguing that the opposition’s outrage was selective and politically motivated.
The incident has reignited debates over women’s autonomy, political accountability and public conduct of elected leaders, drawing national attention amid ongoing political rivalries in Bihar.