A video of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar removing the hijab from the face of a newly appointed female doctor during a public function has gone viral, triggering a major political controversy. The incident occurred on Tuesday in Patna and has drawn sharp criticism from opposition leaders and netizens alike.
The Viral Incident at the Appointment Ceremony
The event was an appointment letter distribution ceremony for over 500 doctors in the state capital. As Chief Minister Nitish Kumar was handing out the letters, he approached a woman doctor who was wearing a hijab. In a moment captured on camera, he is seen using both hands to pull the cloth away from her face, apparently to see her clearly or for a photograph. The doctor, appearing slightly taken aback, quickly adjusted her hijab back into place after the interaction.
The act, performed in front of a large audience including Deputy Chief Ministers Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha, as well as other senior officials, was instantly shared across social media platforms. The video quickly amassed millions of views, with users dissecting the Chief Minister's actions and the doctor's reaction.
Political Reactions and Backlash
The incident did not go unnoticed by political opponents. AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi was among the first to condemn the act. He posted the video on social media platform X, stating, "Would Nitish Kumar have done this to a Jain muni's mouth covering? This is exactly the kind of 'secularism' we keep getting from these people." His comment highlighted the perceived insensitivity towards the religious practice of the Muslim doctor.
Other political commentators and social media users questioned the necessity and propriety of the Chief Minister's physical intervention. Many argued that it was a violation of the woman's personal space and religious expression. The incident has put the spotlight back on Kumar's often unpredictable public behavior, which has been a talking point throughout his long political career.
As of now, there has been no official statement or clarification from the Chief Minister's Office or the ruling Janata Dal (United) party regarding the incident. The silence from the government side has only fueled further discussion online.
Broader Context and Implications
This event takes place within a sensitive national context where religious attire, particularly the hijab, has been a subject of intense debate and legal battles in educational institutions and other public spheres. A video showing a head of government physically adjusting a woman's hijab, regardless of intent, is therefore loaded with symbolic meaning.
Analysts suggest the incident could have repercussions for Kumar's image, especially among minority communities. While his supporters may dismiss it as an innocuous, spontaneous act, critics view it as a demonstration of majoritarian disregard. The fact that the woman was a newly appointed government doctor in a subordinate position to the CM adds a layer of power dynamics to the analysis.
The viral episode underscores how a single unscripted moment at a public event can dominate the news cycle and shape political narratives. It remains to be seen whether this will become a sustained point of attack for the opposition or a fleeting controversy in the busy landscape of Indian politics.
