A political storm erupted in Bihar after a video surfaced showing Chief Minister Nitish Kumar allegedly pulling down the hijab of a Muslim woman during a public appointment ceremony in Patna. The incident, captured on camera and widely circulated on social media, has triggered sharp criticism across political and civil society circles, with many calling the act &ldquo;shameful&rdquo; and &ldquo;deeply disrespectful&rdquo;.
The incident occurred during an official event where appointment letters were being distributed to 1,283 newly recruited AYUSH doctors, including practitioners of Ayurveda, Homeopathy and Unani medicine. In the video, the woman, reportedly present to receive her appointment letter, is seen standing on stage when the Chief Minister reaches out and pulls down her hijab or face covering. Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, who was standing nearby, appears to attempt an intervention, but only after the act had already taken place.
Opposition parties, particularly the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), were quick to condemn the incident, sharing the clip online and questioning the Chief Minister&rsquo;s conduct. Critics argued that a hijab is a matter of personal faith and consent, and any physical interference, especially on a public stage, amounts to a violation of dignity and religious freedom. &ldquo;This is not informality or curiosity, it is entitlement,&rdquo; read one widely shared reaction.
The episode has reignited debate over respect for minority rights and personal boundaries in public life. While no official apology has been issued so far, pressure continues to mount on the Chief Minister to respond. Many observers have pointed out that had such an incident involved another community, public outrage would have been immediate and unanimous, raising questions about selective sensitivity and accountability in political conduct.

Viral video shows Bihar CM touching Muslim woman’s hijab at public event

Nitish Hijab Row Sparks Outrage

Viral video shows Bihar CM touching Muslim woman’s hijab at public event

December 16, 2025 | 04:31 IST