Veteran lyricist and screenwriter Javed Akhtar has issued a scathing condemnation of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar following a widely circulated video from a government event in Patna. The footage, which has ignited a firestorm of criticism, shows Kumar attempting to remove the hijab of a Muslim woman doctor during a ceremony.
Akhtar's Strong Condemnation on Social Media
Taking to the social media platform X on December 18, 2025, Javed Akhtar made his stance unequivocally clear. While reiterating his long-standing personal opposition to the practice of purdah, he emphasized that this did not justify any infringement on a woman's dignity or choice. In his post, Akhtar stated that the Chief Minister's actions were completely unacceptable.
"Everyone who knows me, even in the most cursory manner, knows how much I am against the traditional concept of purdah," Akhtar wrote. "But that doesn't mean, by any stretch of the imagination, that I can accept what Mr. Nitish Kumar has done to a Muslim lady doctor. I condemn it in the strongest possible terms. Mr. Nitish Kumar owes an unconditional apology to the lady."
Details of the Viral Patna Incident
The controversial incident occurred at the Chief Minister's office in Patna during a function where appointment letters were being distributed to newly recruited AYUSH doctors. The video, which quickly went viral across social media and news platforms, captures the moment when Nitish Kumar, while handing a certificate to a woman doctor, reached out and pulled down her hijab, revealing her mouth and chin. The act was performed seemingly casually, sparking immediate outrage for its violation of personal space and religious attire.
The backlash was not limited to political circles. The incident resonated deeply, drawing sharp reactions from various public figures who saw it as a blatant disrespect for a woman's autonomy and faith.
Bollywood Joins the Chorus of Criticism
Adding her voice to the growing demand for accountability, former Bollywood actress Zaira Wasim also expressed her fury. Wasim, known for her debut in Aamir Khan's 'Dangal', took to social media on Tuesday to condemn the act.
In a powerful post, she wrote, "A woman's dignity and modesty are not props to toy with. Least of all on a public stage. As a Muslim woman, watching another woman's niqab being pulled at so casually, accompanied by that nonchalant smile, was so infuriating. Power does not grant permission to violate boundaries. @NitishKumar owes that woman an unconditional apology."
The incident has placed Nitish Kumar under intense scrutiny, with opposition parties seizing upon the video to criticize his conduct. The calls for an apology from prominent figures like Javed Akhtar and Zaira Wasim have amplified the pressure, turning a momentary act at a government event into a national conversation about personal boundaries, religious respect, and the conduct of those in power.
