A recent public act by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has ignited a firestorm of criticism and debate across political and social spectrums. The incident, which involved Kumar physically pulling down the naqaab (face veil) of a young Muslim lady doctor at a public event, has drawn sharp condemnation from prominent figures like lyricist-poet Javed Akhtar and former Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti.
Public Figures Voice Their Strong Disapproval
On December 18, 2025, veteran writer and lyricist Javed Akhtar took to social media platform X to express his profound dismay. While Akhtar clarified his longstanding personal stance against the traditional concept of Parda (veil), he was unequivocal in his condemnation of the Chief Minister's action. He stated that his ideological position did not translate into any acceptance of Kumar's behaviour towards the doctor, which he denounced in very strong words.
Earlier, on December 16, 2025, Mehbooba Mufti had also expressed her shock on the same platform. Having personally known and admired Nitish Kumar in the past, Mufti said she was appalled to see him pull down the woman's naqaab. She posed a critical question to the public: should this act be attributed to old age, or does it point towards a dangerous normalisation of publicly humiliating Muslims? She further highlighted the complicity of silence, noting with horror that people surrounding Kumar merely watched the incident unfold as spectators.
Dissecting the Incident and Its Implications
The core of the controversy lies in the non-consensual violation of the woman's personal space and religious practice. The act, performed in a public setting by a person in a powerful position, is seen by critics as a symbolic gesture of disrespect and majoritarian assertion. The reactions focus on several key issues:
- The Power Dynamic: A male Chief Minister imposing a physical action on a female professional.
- Religious Sensibilities: Disregarding an individual's choice of religious attire.
- Public Degradation: The humiliation being meted out in front of an audience, which failed to intervene.
Akhtar's nuanced take is particularly significant. By separating his critique of patriarchal traditions from his defense of individual autonomy, he underscores that opposing one form of control (parda) does not justify enforcing another (its removal).
A Broader Pattern or an Isolated Misstep?
Mehbooba Mufti's tweet directly raises the alarming possibility of such acts becoming normalized in the current socio-political climate. This frames the incident not as a mere lapse in judgment by an aging politician, but as a potential symptom of a larger, troubling trend where minority communities are publicly targeted. The lack of immediate reaction from Kumar's aides and bystanders, as noted by Mufti, adds a layer of passive endorsement to the event, making the condemnation even more severe.
As of now, there has been no official public response or apology from Nitish Kumar or the Bihar Chief Minister's Office addressing the specific criticisms levelled by Akhtar and Mufti. The silence from the ruling dispensation is being closely watched, as the incident continues to circulate and spark debates on dignity, religious freedom, and political accountability.
The fallout from this brief moment is likely to linger, influencing perceptions of the Bihar administration and adding fuel to ongoing national conversations about the rights and respect afforded to India's Muslim community. The strong words from influential cross-sectional voices ensure that the incident will not be easily forgotten.
