A fresh political storm has erupted following controversial remarks by Uttar Pradesh cabinet minister Sanjay Nishad, who came to the defence of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar over the recent hijab removal incident in Patna. Nishad's comments, made during a television interview, have drawn sharp condemnation from opposition parties and women's rights activists.
Defending the Indefensible: Nishad's Controversial Justification
Speaking to the news channel Bharat Samachar, Sanjay Nishad, who serves as the Fisheries Minister in the second Yogi Adityanath government, claimed that Nitish Kumar was merely trying to verify the identity of the recipient when he pulled down the woman's hijab at a public event. Nishad was seen smiling throughout the interview as he posed a provocative rhetorical question.
"He is not pulling the hijab, he is removing it to check if the appointment letter is being given to the right person," Nishad stated in Bhojpuri. He further questioned the uproar, suggesting, "People should not make a hue and cry over this. After all, he is also a human being... just touching the veil caused such an uproar. What would have happened if something else had been touched?"
Widespread Condemnation and Legal Action
The remarks triggered immediate backlash. Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate launched a scathing attack on the UP minister via social media platform X. She labelled his mindset as "vile, absurd, and misogynistic," highlighting the "shameless words" and "sly laughter" accompanying his statement.
The controversy stems from a viral video from an event in Patna where 74-year-old Nitish Kumar was seen pulling the hijab off a woman's face. The event was for distributing appointment certificates to newly recruited AYUSH doctors. The opposition had already condemned the act as public harassment of a woman by an elected chief minister.
Adding a legal dimension, a formal complaint has been lodged at the Kaiserbagh Police Station in Lucknow. Samajwadi Party leader Sumaiya Rana, accompanied by lawyers, submitted the complaint seeking an FIR against both Nitish Kumar and Sanjay Nishad. Advocate Misham Zaidi, part of the legal team, argued the acts attract serious penal provisions for hurting a woman's modesty and inciting religious sentiments under Section 153A of the IPC.
Clarification and Political Repercussions
Facing intense criticism, Sanjay Nishad later attempted to clarify his statement. He told PTI that his comments were made casually in his local Bhojpuri dialect and were devoid of any ill intention towards any community, woman, or religion. Nishad, a member of the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council since 2021, is the founder of the NISHAD Party.
The incident has ignited a fierce debate on the boundaries of personal liberty, dignity, and the conduct of public representatives. It underscores the ongoing tensions surrounding religious symbols in public spaces and the accountability of those in power. The police complaint ensures the issue will remain in the legal and political spotlight in the coming days.
