The Patna police have launched a full-scale cyber investigation after a threatening video, allegedly uploaded by a Pakistan-based individual, targeted Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. The controversy stems from a recent incident involving the CM and a woman doctor's hijab during a public event.
Police Swiftly Register FIR and Contact Meta
Following the emergence of the video, the Patna police swiftly moved into action. Inspector General of Police (Patna) Jitendra Rana confirmed that a formal First Information Report (FIR) has been registered at the Cyber police station in Patna. Authorities have also reached out to the parent company of Instagram, Meta, requesting the blocking of the account used to upload the video and seeking details about the profile.
"Details have been sought from Meta about the profile, which shared the video content on Instagram. Further investigation is underway to identify the uploader and people who shared it," stated IGP Rana. The case has been handed over to him for a thorough probe, as directed by Bihar DGP Vinay Kumar.
Content of the Threatening Video Message
The Instagram user, identifying himself as "Shahzad Bhatti" and claiming to be a Pakistan-based gangster, issued a direct warning to the Bihar Chief Minister in the video. Referencing the hijab incident, Bhatti said, "Everyone must have seen what happened in Bihar…. That person still has time to apologise to that girl… Don't say later that a warning was not given."
Patna Cyber DSP Nitish Chandra Dharia confirmed that the police have identified the specific Instagram ID and are actively investigating the origins and sharing patterns of the threatening video message. "Further action will be taken based on our investigation," DSP Dharia added.
The Inciting Incident: A Gesture Sparks National Debate
The chain of events began on December 15 during a ceremony where Chief Minister Nitish Kumar was distributing appointment letters to newly recruited AYUSH doctors. A video clip from the event showed the CM handing a letter to Dr. Nusrat Parveen and subsequently lowering the veil (hijab) covering her face, ostensibly to allow the audience to see the achiever.
While the ruling NDA coalition defended the act as "affection shown by a father towards a daughter," it triggered immediate criticism from opposition parties like the RJD and the Congress, as well as from various activists across the country.
Political Reactions and Defense of the CM
The NDA alliance strongly stood by Nitish Kumar. Union Minister and BJP leader Giriraj Singh argued that India is not an Islamic country and showing one's face is not objectionable. "Doesn’t one show one’s face at the passport office and at the airport?" he questioned.
Support also came from JD(U) state president Umesh Singh Kushwaha, who highlighted the welfare schemes launched by the Nitish Kumar government for minority communities. HAM(S) patron and Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi echoed the sentiment of paternal affection, stating, "Nitish pulled the veil not with bad intention but with fatherly affection. His intention was not bad, otherwise I, too, would have protested."
The situation remains tense as the cyber police in Patna work to trace the source of the international threat, ensuring the security of the state's leadership while a political and social debate on the initial incident continues to simmer.
