Samajwadi Party national spokesperson Sumaiya Rana has lodged a formal complaint at the Kaiserbagh police station in Lucknow against Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Uttar Pradesh cabinet minister Sanjay Nishad. The complaint centers on a recent controversy involving the removal of a Muslim woman's hijab and subsequent remarks about the incident.
Details of the Police Complaint and Viral Incident
In her complaint submitted on Tuesday, Rana, who is the daughter of late Urdu poet Munawwar Rana, demanded the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) against the two leaders. She cited the need for legal action to prevent any potential deterioration of the communal situation.
The complaint references a now-viral video from an event in Patna on December 15. At a function to distribute appointment letters to AYUSH doctors, Bihar CM Nitish Kumar was seen pulling down the hijab of a Muslim woman doctor. Rana stated that this act caused widespread anger within the Muslim community and deeply hurt the dignity and modesty of Muslim women.
Rana also strongly objected to the comments made by UP Minister Sanjay Nishad in the aftermath of the video. She quoted him as saying, "why is there so much controversy over removing a burqa?" Rana argued that such actions and statements could disturb communal harmony and create an atmosphere of social tension.
Police Response and Political Reactions
Vishwajeet Srivastava, the Deputy Commissioner of Police for the West Zone, confirmed that the complaint had been received. However, he clarified that it had not yet been converted into a formal FIR. Rana informed the media that she would wait for 2 to 3 days for police action. If no action is initiated, she plans to pursue further legal steps.
This is not the first time Rana has been in legal crosshairs. In October, the Lucknow police had booked her for allegedly posting a provocative social media message related to the "I Love Mohammad" campaign.
Nishad's Defense and Apology
Facing backlash, Minister Sanjay Nishad defended his remarks on Wednesday, claiming they were "tweaked and twisted." The Nishad Party chief stated his comment—"what would have happened if he (Nitish Kumar) touched her somewhere else"—was made light-heartedly in Hindi and its spirit was lost in translation and cacophony.
Nishad expressed that he had no ill intent towards any woman from any faith. "But if someone has felt hurt then I am taking my words back," he said, reading from a written apology. He attributed the phrasing to his cultural background in the Bhojpuri-speaking Gorakhpur belt, where such expressions are used to urge restraint.
Divided Political Responses
The opposition Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) criticized Nitish Kumar's act as "unbecoming of a CM." State RJD spokesperson Chitranjan Gagan suggested the behavior indicated either a shift in ideology or health issues, questioning his continuance as chief minister.
In defense, Bihar's Minority Welfare Minister Zama Khan called Kumar's gesture "fatherly," with no wrong intention. "Nitish Kumar behaved like a father or guardian, caressing her affectionately," Khan stated, adding that the CM was proud of the minority community doctor's success.
Kumar's ally, the BJP, also defended him strongly. State BJP spokesperson Manoj Sharma listed Kumar's schemes for women's empowerment, including Jeevika and 50% reservation in panchayats, asserting he needs no certificates on his record.
The opposition has broadly termed Nishad's remarks as "misogynistic and crass" and demanded an unconditional apology from him.
