Nitish Kumar under fire for pulling down woman’s hijab at event; Oppn calls it ‘disgusting act’ | Video

(Screengrab: X)

A video from a government event in Patna on Monday has triggered a major political controversy after Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar was seen removing the hijab of a woman doctor while handing over appointment letters.

The incident took place at a programme held at the Chief Minister’s residence, where appointment letters were being distributed to newly recruited AYUSH doctors. Nusrat Parveen, one of the appointees, stepped forward to receive her appointment letter.

After handing over the document, Nitish Kumar gestured towards the doctor’s headscarf, asked her about it, and then instructed her to remove it. Seconds later, he was seen pulling it down himself. The woman appeared visibly uncomfortable for a brief period, as some people present at the event were heard laughing.

यह क्या हो गया है नीतीश जी को? मानसिक स्थिति बिल्कुल ही अब दयनीय स्थिति में पहुंच चुकी है या नीतीश बाबू अब 100% संघी हो चुके हैं?@yadavtejashwi#RJD#bihar#TejashwiYadavpic.twitter.com/vRyqUaKhwm

— Rashtriya Janata Dal (@RJDforIndia) December 15, 2025

The video of the incident quickly went viral on social media, drawing sharp reactions from opposition parties. The Rashtriya Janata Dal shared the clip and criticised the chief minister, asking, “What has happened to Nitish ji? Has his mental state deteriorated completely, or has Nitish Babu now become 100% Sanghi?”

The Congress also launched a scathing attack, calling the incident a “disgusting act” and demanding Nitish Kumar’s immediate resignation. “If a person occupying the highest constitutional post in the state behaves in such a disgraceful manner in public, one can only imagine how safe women are in the state,” the party said. In a post on X, the Congress added that the chief minister’s conduct was “unforgivable”.

ये बिहार के मुख्यमंत्री नीतीश कुमार हैं। इनकी बेशर्मी देखिए- एक महिला डॉक्टर जब अपना नियुक्ति पत्र लेने आई तो नीतीश कुमार ने उनका हिजाब खींच लिया। बिहार के सबसे बड़े पद पर बैठा हुआ आदमी सरेआम ऐसी नीच हरकत कर रहा है। सोचिए- राज्य में महिलाएं कितनी सुरक्षित होंगी? नीतीश कुमार… pic.twitter.com/2AO6czZfAA — Congress (@INCIndia) December 15, 2025

The event involved the distribution of appointment letters to 1,283 AYUSH doctors, including 685 Ayurvedic, 393 Homoeopathic and 205 Unani practitioners. According to officials, the newly appointed doctors will be posted at health institutions under AYUSH Medical Services and the National Health Mission. They will be deployed for OPD services and as part of the ‘Roaming Medical Team’ under the National Child Health Programme, aimed at strengthening healthcare delivery across Bihar.