Bihar Chief Minister (CM) Nitish Kumar in India has drawn criticism after a video showed him pulling down the niqab of a Muslim doctor during an official government event in Patna.

The incident took place during the distribution of appointment letters to newly-recruited doctors at the CM Secretariat.

Video from the event showed the Janata Dal (United) leader, CM Kumar, pointing at the face of an Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathic (AYUSH) doctor wearing a headscarf while presenting her with a certificate, reaching out and pulling down her veil.

As the shameless move revealed the woman's face and chin before she could respond, an official standing near the stage immediately pulled the visibly flustered woman aside.

Laughter was heard in the background as Deputy CM Samrat Choudhary appeared to intervene and attempt to stop Kumar.

The incident prompted strong reactions from Indian opposition parties.

The Indian National Congress was the first to publicly condemn the act, terming it “vile” and accusing the CM of inappropriate behaviour towards a woman official in full public view. 

In a post on X, the Congress questioned the conduct of someone holding the highest executive office in Bihar and demanded his resignation.

The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) also reacted strongly, raising concerns over the CM’s mental fitness. In its statement, the party said Kumar’s condition had reached a “completely pitiable” stage, questioning how such behaviour could occur during a formal state function.

The incident sparked significant outrage on social media, especially among Muslim women and rights advocates, in addition to political criticism.

Many described the act as public harassment and a violation of personal autonomy, arguing that forcibly touching a woman’s clothing amounted to an attack on dignity and modesty. Several reactions framed the incident as legally actionable, questioning why no formal case had been registered.

Others called the act an attack on a woman’s dignity and modesty, stating that her niqab should not be treated as a prop on public stage.
 

While some insisted that the CM owed the woman an unconditional apology, critics also labelled the behaviour “irresponsible, immoral, and violent” and argued that such public humiliation must have consequences.

A number of Pakistani netizens also reacted to the incident, saying, “Jinnah proven right, yet again” and “Thank you Jinnah”, linking the move to broader concerns about minority rights in India.