Pakistani gangster issues death threat to Nitish Kumar over hijab row: 'Apologise, or else...'

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has reportedly received a threat on social media from a Pakistani gangster following an incident at a government event in Patna in which he was seen pulling down a Muslim woman's hijab.

A video circulating online, which has not been independently verified, purportedly shows Pakistani gangster Shahzad Bhatti issuing a warning to the Chief Minister and demanding an apology over the incident. In the video, Bhatti is heard referring to Kumar's interaction with a Muslim woman and asking him to apologise, while suggesting there could be consequences if he failed to do so. He also questioned how a person holding a constitutional post could behave in such a manner and warned that Kumar should not later claim he was not cautioned.

Responding to the development, Bihar Director General of Police Vinay Kumar said that the Inspector General of Police, Patna, has been asked to look into the matter. He declined to comment further, stating that an official inquiry would first examine the video and the alleged threat.

The controversy stems from a recent public function where Nitish Kumar was distributing appointment letters to newly recruited doctors. During the event, a video showed the Chief Minister gesturing towards a Muslim AYUSH doctor and briefly pulling down her hijab while handing over the letter. The clip drew widespread criticism on social media.

Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary of the BJP, who was present on the stage, appeared to move his hand towards the Chief Minister at the time, seemingly in response to the incident. The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) later shared the video online and questioned the Chief Minister's conduct. The party also made critical remarks about his behaviour.