A wave of condemnation has spread across India and Pakistan after a video showing Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar pulling a Muslim woman’s niqab during a public ceremony went viral on social media, sparking accusations of abuse of power and religious insensitivity.
ہیومن رائٹس کونسل آف پاکستان بھارت کے صوبہ بہار کے وزیرِ اعلیٰ نتیش کمار کے اس نہایت شرمناک، قابلِ مذمت اور غیر انسانی اقدام کی سخت ترین الفاظ میں مذمت کرتی ہے، جس میں ایک سرکاری تقریب کے دوران ایک مسلم خاتون ڈاکٹر کا نقاب/حجاب زبردستی ہٹایا گیا، جب وہ اپنی تقرری کا سرٹیفیکیٹ… pic.twitter.com/QRKZm4pBA2
— Human Rights Council of Pakistan (@HRCPakistan) December 16, 2025
The incident occurred on Monday at a government event in Patna, where Kumar was presenting certificates to AYUSH doctors. As Dr Nusrat Parveen stepped onto the stage to receive her certificate, Kumar gestured for her to remove her niqab. Before she could respond or consent, he reached out and pulled it himself, briefly exposing her mouth and chin.
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The moment appeared to leave Parveen visibly startled. Two men on stage, including Bihar Home Minister Samrat Choudhary, made hesitant attempts to intervene, while others laughed, seemingly treating the act as a light-hearted exchange rather than a serious breach of personal autonomy.
Shameful and Unacceptable | @NitishKumar
A Muslim woman, wearing a burqa and likely present to receive her joining letter, was subjected to public humiliation when Bihar CM Nitish Kumar reportedly reached out to pull down her Hijab/Mask.
The hijab is not a costume. It is… pic.twitter.com/4EakveoPtO
— Muslim IT Cell (@Muslim_ITCell) December 15, 2025
The video triggered widespread outrage, with activists, politicians and social media users denouncing the chief minister’s actions as humiliating and inappropriate. Critics argue the incident reflects a broader pattern of normalised disrespect toward Muslims in India, particularly Muslim women.
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Pakistan’s Human Rights Council strongly condemned the act, calling it “highly shameful, reprehensible, and inhumane,” and demanded an immediate, transparent and impartial investigation. The council said the incident constituted an attack on human dignity, religious freedom and women’s autonomy, urging Indian authorities to issue a formal apology and ensure accountability.
Former Indian actor Zaira Wasim called for an “unconditional apology,” stating that a woman’s dignity “is not a prop to toy with.” Indian politician Priyanka Chaturvedi highlighted the unequal power dynamics involved, while Lok Sabha member Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi described the act as “indefensible” and urged Kumar to step down.
Across social media, users condemned the episode as an abuse of authority, stressing that no official has the right to touch or humiliate a woman in the name of protocol or power.
Here’s how social media reacted
Bihar CM: “What is this?”
Muslim woman: “It’s Hijab, sir.”
Bihar CM: “Remove it!”
Bihar CM Nitish Kumar pulled open the hijab of a Muslim woman doctor Nusrat Parveen on stage while distributing appointment letters to Ayush practitioners in the state!@SachinGuptaUP reports pic.twitter.com/7ExxPwP4fw
— The Muslim Spaces (@TheMuslimSpaces) December 15, 2025
Is this how India’s democracy treats Muslim women?
Bihar CM Nitish Kumar lift a woman doctor’s hijab on stage. It’s a violation of consent, dignity, and religious freedom. pic.twitter.com/H7AFwwWnUY— Baba Thoka (@Baba_Thoka) December 15, 2025
This is outrageous. A sitting CM yanking a Muslim woman’s veil on a public stage is sheer arrogance and abuse of power. No consent, no respect, no dignity. Is this governance or public humiliation? Shameful conduct, zero accountability. pic.twitter.com/TN6mNacK0Q
— S͓̽H͓̽A͓̽Z͓̽I͓̽A͓̽ N͓̽A͓̽W͓̽A͓̽Z͓̽ (@SHAZIANAWAZ13) December 16, 2025
Minorities have no space or future in new fake India. A dictatorship.
This shameful behavior isn’t acceptable. PHZIndia: Chief Minister’s removal of woman’s hijab demands “unequivocal condemnation” – Amnesty International https://t.co/8oOtNjUGrT
— Sajid N. Tarar (@sajidtarar) December 16, 2025
Has he gone mad? A Chief Minister removing a woman’s hijab and mocking her is an insult to the Constitution he is sworn to protect. Personal choice, dignity, and freedom of religion are non negotiable. This is not governance, this is arrogance in power. Shameful conduct from a… pic.twitter.com/s21PBHA492
— Mohammed shahabuddin (@mshahab31) December 15, 2025
Wake up. She earned her profession with years of education & dedication. Her hijab doesn’t stop her intelligence or capability. Publicly humiliating her by pulling her naqab is illegal & outrageous. The focus should be on the CM’s abuse of power, not on her faith or attire. https://t.co/bA8nh3iTEy
— جویریہ آفرین (@JaweriaAfreen) December 15, 2025