Condemnation from political and religious leaders in Kashmir has intensified against Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for an incident where he pulled the veil off a woman's face during a public function. The episode, which occurred in Bihar, has sparked widespread outrage, with figures like Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Iltija Mufti, daughter of PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti, leading the criticism.
Mirwaiz Decries 'Grave Violation' in Friday Sermon
Addressing the Friday congregation at Srinagar's historic Jamia Masjid on December 19, 2025, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq labeled the Chief Minister's action a 'grave violation' of personal dignity and moral boundaries. He asserted that no position of authority grants the right to interfere with an individual's self-respect.
The Mirwaiz emphasized that when a person in power violates dignity in public, it sends a dangerous message that authority can trample ethics and basic human values. He expressed particular regret over attempts to justify the act by framing it as a debate on women's empowerment and the hijab.
'Such diversions are mischievous and further expose the bigoted mindset of those indulging in it and their limited understanding of Islam,' the Mirwaiz stated in his sermon, criticizing sections of the media and political parties.
Legal Complaint Filed by Iltija Mufti
Adding to the growing voices of protest, Iltija Mufti filed a formal complaint at the Kothi Bagh police station in Srinagar. She sought the registration of an FIR against Nitish Kumar for 'violating the dignity of a Muslim woman by forcibly removing her niqab'.
In her complaint, Iltija described watching the event with 'shock, horror and worry'. She highlighted the disturbing reaction of bystanders, including Bihar's Deputy CM, who reportedly chuckled during the incident.
She argued that the 'forceful stripping' of the niqab was not just an assault on one Muslim woman, but an attack on the autonomy, identity, and dignity of every Indian woman. Iltija connected the act to a broader context of the 'deliberate othering' and political disempowerment of Muslims across India, making it even more disconcerting.
Omar Abdullah's 'Deeply Distressing' Remark and JD(U)'s Defense
Earlier, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had also voiced his concern. Speaking at an Express Adda event, Abdullah called the incident 'deeply distressing'.
'All of us should worry about what this sort of thing means in India, where an elected chief minister can pull off the face-covering of a young woman on a whim and not face any blowback,' he stated. He linked the episode to a larger feeling of disempowerment among communities lacking political representation.
In response, Nitish Kumar's party, the JD(U), has downplayed the event, calling it a momentary 'flash'. The party has insisted that the Chief Minister should be judged on his overall record of work for the benefit of women and Muslims, rather than this single incident.
The strong reactions from Kashmir underscore the national resonance of the controversy, turning a moment from a Bihar ceremony into a significant flashpoint concerning dignity, religious identity, and the conduct of those in power.
