Nitish Kumar Owes Unconditional Apology: Javed Akhtar on Hijab Row
Poet-lyricist condemns Bihar CM for pulling down Muslim doctor’s hijab, sparks political storm
- Javed Akhtar criticises Nitish Kumar’s act despite opposing pardah
- Video shows CM pulling down hijab of a Muslim woman doctor at event
- Opposition demands apology, some seek Kumar’s resignation
- JDU-BJP defends CM, cites intent and record on women empowerment
GG News Bureau
Mumbai, 18th Dec: Poet-lyricist Javed Akhtar strongly condemned Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for pulling down the hijab of a Muslim woman doctor at a public event, saying the act was unacceptable and that Kumar owes the woman an unconditional apology.
Akhtar said that while he has long opposed the concept of pardah or veil, that stance does not justify the Chief Minister’s behaviour. “Anyone who knows me knows how much I oppose the traditional concept of pardah. But that does not mean that by any stretch of imagination I can accept what Mr Nitish Kumar has done to a Muslim lady doctor,” Akhtar wrote on X. “I condemn it in very strong words. Mr Nitish Kumar owes an unconditional apology to the lady.”
The controversy erupted after Nitish Kumar, who recently began his tenth term as Bihar Chief Minister, attended an event on Monday to distribute appointment letters to over 1,200 AYUSH doctors. In a video that has since gone viral, Kumar is seen interacting with a woman doctor wearing a hijab and appearing to ask her to remove it. Before she could respond, the Chief Minister is seen pulling down the veil, exposing her face. While some people in the background were seen laughing, Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary appeared to intervene.
The incident triggered a major political row, with opposition parties demanding accountability from the Chief Minister. The Congress described the act as “vile” and said Nitish Kumar should resign. RJD spokesperson Ejaz Ahmad said the episode reflected the JDU-BJP coalition’s attitude towards women, while AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi termed the act intolerable and demanded an immediate apology.
Leaders from Nitish Kumar’s JD(U) and its ally BJP sought to downplay the controversy, citing the Chief Minister’s long record on women’s empowerment. Zama Khan, a JD(U) leader and Minority Welfare Minister in Bihar, said the opposition and some Muslim leaders were trying to defame Kumar. “He wanted society to see the face of the girl after she became successful in life,” Khan said.
As the video continues to draw widespread criticism, the incident has reignited debate over personal dignity, consent and the conduct of public office holders, with calls growing louder for a formal apology from the Chief Minister.
