Nitish Kumar Hijab Incident Triggers Political Backlash In Bihar

Nitish Kumar is facing fresh outrage after a video showed the Bihar chief minister pulling down a woman's hijab during a government event in Patna. The incident comes about a month after Nitish Kumar took oath as chief minister for the 10th time, amid ongoing debate over Nitish Kumar's mental health and fitness for office.

The clip, widely shared on social media, shows the 74-year-old JD(U) chief handing an appointment certificate to an AYUSH doctor on Monday. Nitish Kumar appears to gesture towards the hijab, then suddenly pulls it down himself, revealing the doctor's mouth and chin. Laughter is heard from the audience as Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary seems to attempt to intervene.

Nitish Kumar hijab incident triggers sharp political backlash

The Congress and the RJD quickly criticised the Nitish Kumar hijab episode, calling it an attack on dignity and rights. Congress described Nitish Kumar's actions as "shameless" and "vile", demanding that Nitish Kumar step down as chief minister. The RJD linked the behaviour to questions around Nitish Kumar's mental condition that had surfaced before the Bihar elections.

RJD functionaries suggested the Nitish Kumar hijab incident reflected a deeper problem. The party, writing in Hindi on X, posted, "What has happened to Nitish ji? His mental state has now reached a completely pitiable condition," arguing that Nitish Kumar no longer appeared fit to lead. The comment added to existing political attacks over Nitish Kumar's recent public conduct.

Opposition questions Nitish Kumar hijab act and coalition stance on women

RJD Spokesperson Ejaz Ahmad claimed the Nitish Kumar hijab controversy exposed the mindset of the JDU-BJP alliance towards women, especially from minority communities. Ahmad pointed out that the woman doctor followed purdah, and said Nitish Kumar's act carried a broader political message linked to women's autonomy, culture and religious practice in Bihar under the current coalition government.

Ahmad said, "By removing the hijab from the face of a Muslim woman who observes purdah, he (Kumar) has made it clear what kind of politics the JDU and BJP are engaging in in the name of women's empowerment... Removing a woman's veil is, in a way, an act of snatching away the right to live according to one's culture and religious freedom, which is guaranteed to all by the Indian Constitution and its constitutional system."

Congress escalates criticism of Nitish Kumar hijab video

The Congress social media handle posted a sharp response to the Nitish Kumar hijab video, combining Hindi remarks with a demand for immediate resignation. The party questioned how safe women in Bihar could feel when such conduct came from a sitting chief minister during an official function, in front of senior leaders and cameras.

The party wrote on X: "ये बिहार के मुख्यमंत्री नीतीश कुमार हैं।इनकी बेशर्मी देखिए- एक महिला डॉक्टर जब अपना नियुक्ति पत्र लेने आई तो नीतीश कुमार ने उनका हिजाब खींच लिया।बिहार के सबसे बड़े पद पर बैठा हुआ आदमी सरेआम ऐसी नीच हरकत कर रहा है। सोचिए- राज्य में महिलाएं कितनी सुरक्षित होंगी?नीतीश कुमार… pic.twitter.com/2AO6czZfAA— Congress (@INCIndia) December 15, 2025" and added, "Look at his shamelessness - a female doctor had come to collect her appointment letter, and Nitish Kumar pulled off her hijab. A man occupying the highest position in Bihar is openly indulging in such a vile act. Think about it - how safe will women in the state be? Nitish Kumar should immediately resign for this disgusting behaviour. This vileness is unforgivable,"

Earlier controversies before Nitish Kumar hijab row

The Nitish Kumar hijab storm follows another viral moment from the campaign period. Weeks before the November Bihar elections, Nitish Kumar faced criticism after a video showed Nitish Kumar garlanding a woman at a public rally. A JDU MP tried to stop Nitish Kumar, but Nitish Kumar appeared to scold the MP instead, drawing further debate.

Those scenes, along with other clips, were cited by rivals to question Nitish Kumar's judgement and mental health. Jan Suraaj founder Prashant Kishor and several leaders argued that Nitish Kumar did not appear fit to govern Bihar. Their repeated remarks became a talking point during the campaign, even as the NDA alliance went on to achieve a dominant result.

Election numbers and remarks linked to Nitish Kumar hijab debate

The controversy around Nitish Kumar's behaviour, now refreshed by the Nitish Kumar hijab incident, sits against a strong NDA electoral performance. The JDU-BJP-led coalition won over 200 of the 243 Assembly seats in Bihar, while the Opposition Mahagathbandhan finished with 35 seats, a heavy setback after an intense and personal campaign.

After the results, Prashant Kishor spoke to NDTV's CEO and Editor-In-Chief Rahul Kanwal and refused to soften earlier criticism of Nitish Kumar. Kishor said, "It's not about being older or younger. If you are a chief minister who doesn't appear mentally and physically fit, I would say so. Whether it backfires or not, I am not taking my words back," linking back to the same concerns now revived by the Nitish Kumar hijab video.

The latest Nitish Kumar hijab controversy has therefore reopened earlier arguments about Nitish Kumar's public conduct, judgement and approach to women's rights and religious freedom. With Opposition parties demanding action and the ruling coalition yet to respond in detail, the debate around Nitish Kumar's leadership in Bihar shows no sign of fading.