Union minister Giriraj Singh backs Nitish Kumar amid row over hijab video: 'What’s wrong with what he did?'

Union minister Giriraj Singh has come out in Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar’s defence after a viral video showed him pulling down a hijab from a woman’s face, triggering criticism from all corners.

"What's wrong with what he did?" Singh told reporters when asked about the matter.

"If one has come to take an appointment letter, why should she be scared of showing her face? Don't you have to show your face when you go to vote?" the BJP leader was quoted as saying in an NDTV report.

His remarks came after Uttar Pradesh cabinet minister Sanjay Nishad on Tuesday sparked fresh controversy with insensitive comments on the act.

In an interview to a news outlet, Nishad said: “He is also a man... why is there so much controversy over removing a naqab? His hands only touched her face. If his hands had touched somewhere else, what would have happened then?”

However, Nishad later clarified that the comments carried no ill intent and were misinterpreted. "My remark was tweaked and twisted, misinterpreted, its spirit lost in cacophony and translation," the state fisheries minister told PTI as the Congress, the Samajwadi Party and the Aam Aadmi Party sought an unconditional apology.

"If someone has taken offence, I am willing to take back the words from my side," he said, adding that there was neither malice nor any intention of disrespect.

Meanwhile, SP spokesperson Sumaiyya Rana on Wednesday lodged a complaint with the Lucknow police against Nishad and Kumar.

She said the video clip of Bihar CM pulling the hijab of a woman has triggered anger among women, prompting her to submit a complaint seeking police action.

Speaking to PTI Videos, Rana said that as someone who herself wears a hijab, she would not remain silent if such an act was committed against her. She said the complaint also refers to UP minister Sanjay Nishad's remarks on the issue.

Rana said she submitted a written complaint at the Kaiserbagh police station seeking investigation and registration of an FIR.

The incident took place at a function where AYUSH doctors were handed appointment letters.