Kashmiri leaders slam Nitish for pulling veil of woman doctor, seek unconditional public apology

Several Kashmiri leaders on Tuesday slammed Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for pulling the Hijab (veil) of a newly-appointed woman doctor at a public function and sought an apology from him and also his resignation for hurting the religious sentiments of the Muslim community.

In a viral video Nitish is seen pulling the veil of the doctor while handing her the appointment letter at a function.

Advertisement

PDP president and former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti questioned whether such behaviour could be attributed to old age or reflected what she described as the growing normalisation of “publicly humiliating” Muslims. “Having personally known & admired Nitish ji I was shocked to see him pull down a young Muslim woman’s naqaab. Does one attribute it to old age or the normalisation of humiliating Muslims publicly,” she wrote on X.

“The fact that people around him watched this horrific incident unfold as some form of entertainment is even more unsettling. Nitish Sahab, perhaps it’s time you step down,” she added.

Ruling National Conference MP Aga Ruhullah said, “The conduct displayed by Bihar CM Nitish Kumar, publicly pulling at a Muslim woman’s burqa, is indefensible and deeply disturbing.”

“He owes the woman and the public an unconditional apology,” he added.

Ruhullah wrote in an X post: “This erratic conduct is alarming and points to a man who no longer possesses the composure or mental clarity required for constitutional office. Seeking medical attention and stepping aside is necessary.”

PDP leader Iltija Mufti said, “Just because you’re the CM, it doesn’t mean you can pull off a woman’s hijab. Power doesn’t give you the right to humiliate Muslims. If you’re not well, please step down”.

Peoples’ Conference general secretary and Shia leader Imran Ansari also condemned the incident in a letter to the Bihar chief minister, expressing grave concern over the alleged act.

In the letter, Ansari said the incident was deeply hurtful, unacceptable and in clear violation of India’s democratic and constitutional values. “Such conduct does not befit a person holding a high constitutional office and sends a disturbing message to minority communities across the country,” he wrote.

He pointed out that Bihar is home to nearly 17% Muslim population, amounting to more than two crore citizens, and reminded the chief minister that, as the elected head of the state, he represents every community without discrimination. “The Chief Minister belongs to all citizens, irrespective of faith, gender, or political affiliation,” Ansari said.

He added that the issue concerns the very basics of religious freedom, personal dignity and respectful coexistence.

He stressed that forcibly removing a woman’s veil is a direct affront to her faith and personal choice, and is wholly incompatible with the spirit of India’s democracy.

Ansari sought an unconditional public apology from the Bihar chief minister and stressed that it is imperative that such violations of religious dignity are not repeated in the future.