Nitish Kumar’s “Hijab Row” Escalates in Bihar
A major political storm has broken out in Bihar following an incident involving Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. During a government event in Patna, the Chief Minister was seen pulling down the hijab of a woman doctor. This took place while he was distributing appointment letters to newly recruited AYUSH doctors.The video of the act quickly went viral, leading to strong reactions across the country.
The doctor involved, Nusrat Parveen, was one of more than a thousand new healthcare recruits.As she approached the stage, the Chief Minister reportedly asked her to reveal her face before reaching out to lower her head covering.While the ruling NDA coalition described the act as a “fatherly gesture,” opposition parties like the RJD and Congress have labeled it as public harassment. They are now demanding an immediate apology and the Chief Minister’s resignation.
International human rights groups have also weighed in, calling the incident an assault on a woman’s dignity and religious freedom. Despite the initial shock and rumors that she might decline the job, health officials now claim that Dr. Parveen will join her duty this weekend. The government maintains that its focus remains on women’s empowerment, but the legal and political fallout continues to grow.
The controversy has also taken a serious turn regarding state security. Reports indicate that a threat video was released by an individual claiming to be a Pakistan-based gangster. The Patna police have registered a case with the cyber cell and are working with social media companies to block the content. Security around the Chief Minister’s residence has been tightened as a precaution. Across India, various leaders have expressed their views on the matter. While some Union Ministers defended the Chief Minister, saying it is important to show one’s face at official events, others argued that choice of dress is a personal right. The issue has sparked a wider debate about consent and the conduct of public officials in constitutional positions. The state government is now working to move past the row and focus on the deployment of the new doctors to rural areas
