A prominent Indian politician has caused a storm in the country by pulling down a Muslim woman's hijab during a public event at his residence.
Nitish Kumar, chief minister of the eastern state of Bihar, found himself at the center of a political storm after the incident sparked widespread anger, the Telegraph reports.
The controversy erupted during a ceremony to distribute appointment letters to newly recruited traditional or alternative medicine practitioners with state licenses at the prime minister's residence.
A video shows Kumar sitting on stage alongside Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary and Health Minister Mangal Pandey, as doctors are called individually to receive their papers.
When Nusrat Parveen approaches to receive her appointment letter with her face covered by a hijab, Kumar is heard saying: "What is this?"
A few moments later, he leans forward and removes her hijab.
The woman is visibly surprised as an official quickly guides her away, while Choudhary pulls Kumar's sleeve, apparently trying to stop him.
The footage sparked strong reactions from opposition parties and rights groups, which questioned the prime minister's behavior.
"This act was an attack on this woman's dignity, autonomy and identity. When a public official forcibly removes a woman's hijab, it sends a message to the wider public that this behaviour is acceptable. No one has the right to control a woman's beliefs or dress," Aakar Patel, head of Amnesty International India, said in a statement.
"Such actions deepen fear, normalize discrimination, and destroy the very foundations of equality and religious freedom. This violation requires clear condemnation and accountability," he added.
"Urgent steps must be taken to ensure that no woman is subjected to such degrading treatment," he stressed, among other things.
Sharing the video on X, the Rashtriya Janata Dal, the main opposition party in Bihar, wrote in Hindi: "What has happened to Nitish ji? Has his mental state now reached a completely deplorable state, or has Nitish Babu become 100% Sanghi now?"
“Sanghi” refers to a member of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, the mother of far-right Hindu nationalist organizations that is deeply intertwined with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s BJP party.
There were reports that after the Prime Minister's behavior with her, Parveen was reconsidering the possibility of joining the service.
Manoj Jha, an opposition MP from Bihar, described the footage as deeply disturbing.
"I have seen the footage and it was disturbing. The Deputy Prime Minister even tried to stop it. This should be disturbing," he said, according to The Times of India.
The Congress Party, the main national opposition, also launched a scathing attack, calling the act "disgusting".
"This is Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. Look at his shamelessness - a doctor had come to collect her appointment letter and Nitish Kumar removed her hijab," the party said.
"A man holding the highest position in Bihar is openly committing such a dirty act. Just think - how safe will women be in the state? Nitish Kumar should resign immediately for this disgusting behavior. This vileness is inexcusable," it said, among other things. /Telegraph/
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