Patna, December 19, 2025: The incident where Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar publicly pulled down the hijab (niqab) of newly appointed AYUSH doctor Nusrat Parveen during a government event on December 15 has sparked nationwide outrage. The episode occurred in the 'Samvad' hall of the Chief Minister's Secretariat during the distribution of appointment letters to AYUSH doctors. As Nitish Kumar handed the letter to Nusrat, he pointed at the niqab covering her face, expressed displeasure by saying "What is this?", and then pulled it down himself.
The video clearly shows this, with some people in the audience even laughing. Deeply hurt by the incident, Nusrat Parveen left Bihar the very next day and returned to her family in Kolkata. A topper in her studies, Nusrat dreamed of becoming a doctor to serve society. She is a Unani medicine practitioner and was overjoyed upon receiving the Bihar government appointment. However, this public humiliation has traumatised her so much that she is currently not in the mood to join the government job.
Nusrat's brother, a professor at a government law university in Kolkata, told media that after the incident, Nusrat called home crying and narrated everything. She is in mental trauma, and the family is repeatedly trying to persuade her, but Nusrat is unable to gather the courage to return to Bihar and start the job. Nusrat herself said, "I'm not saying the Chief Minister did it intentionally, but there were so many people there, and some were even laughing. For a girl, it felt extremely humiliating. I've studied wearing hijab from school to college and gone everywhere in it."
This case is not just about one individual but concerns women's personal faith, religious freedom, and dignity. Under Article 25 of the Constitution, every citizen has the right to practise their religious traditions. Wearing hijab or niqab is a symbol of personal choice and faith for Muslim women. Touching a woman's attire on a public platform not only violates her privacy but also creates a sense of insecurity in the minority community.
Opposition parties have strongly condemned the incident. Congress and RJD have demanded Nitish Kumar's resignation, while Amnesty International called it an attack on a woman's dignity. Public figures like Javed Akhtar and Omar Abdullah have demanded an unconditional apology. On the other hand, some ministers are defending it as "fatherly affection," which is fueling further controversy.
The incident forces us to think: Can a person in the highest position of the state interfere with women's faith in this manner? How important is a safe environment for minority women? Respect, security, and constitutional rights can never be subjects of compromise.
The shattering of dreams of talented youth like Nusrat is not just a personal loss but a warning for society. It is hoped that this incident will teach a big lesson and prioritise women's dignity.
Sajjadali Nayani✍🏼
