Just IN:— Indian Chief Minister Nitish Kumar forcibly pulls down the veil of a Muslim woman doctor while handing out appointment letter in a ceremony. pic.twitter.com/SCEeX6PCEc
— South Asia Index (@SouthAsiaIndex) December 15, 2025
On December 15, 2025, during a ceremony in Patna where Bihar Chief Minister **Nitish Kumar** distributed appointment letters to newly recruited AYUSH doctors, he pulled down the face-covering veil (niqab/hijab) of a Muslim woman doctor named Nusrat Parveen as she approached to receive her letter.
A video of the incident went viral, showing Kumar gesturing toward her veil, saying something like "what is this?", and then reaching out to lower it himself. Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary appeared to try to restrain him, and an official quickly moved the woman aside. ### Reactions and Criticisms - **Opposition parties** (Congress and RJD) strongly condemned the act as "shameless," "vile," and a violation of women's dignity and religious freedom. Congress demanded Kumar's resignation, while RJD questioned his mental state and accused him of adopting a "Sanghi" (RSS-aligned) mindset. - Social media outrage was widespread, with many viewing it as harassment, an assault on personal autonomy, and discriminatory toward Muslims. Groups like the Indian American Muslim Council (IAMC) and various activists called it outright discrimination. - International and Muslim community accounts highlighted it as part of broader concerns over minority treatment in India. ### Defense from Kumar's Party - JD(U) leaders and the Minority Welfare Minister defended Kumar, describing the gesture as paternal affection toward a "successful daughter," intended to reveal her face in a moment of pride. Some allies suggested it was to ensure proper identification or out of respect. No direct apology from Kumar has been reported as of December 16, 2025, and the incident has fueled political debate amid prior questions about his public conduct. The event involved handing letters to 1,283 AYUSH practitioners, with high-ranking officials present. Sources across outlets like NDTV, India Today, The Hindu, and Times of India confirm the details, though interpretations vary by political leanings.
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