Outcry in India as Bihar Chief Minister Removes Woman Doctor’s Veil at Graduation Ceremony
Nitish Kumar, the Chief Minister of Bihar, India, sparked widespread backlash on Tuesday after pulling down the veil of a female doctor during a graduation ceremony. The act has drawn sharp criticism from opposition parties and several political figures across the country.
A widely circulated video on social media captures the moment Kumar removes the woman’s veil, prompting laughter from some attendees. Shortly afterward, two men—one identified as Bihar’s interior minister—attempt to stop Kumar from continuing the behavior.
India’s Congress Party condemned the act as “malicious” and has called for the Chief Minister’s resignation. Meanwhile, the party led by Lalu Yadav, a former Chief Minister of Bihar, stated it is reviewing whether the incident indicates a possible deterioration in Kumar’s mental health.
Omar Abdullah, former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, also publicly criticized the act. Speaking to reporters, he said, “Removing the hijab or veil of a Muslim woman is unacceptable under any circumstances. If the Chief Minister did not want to award the certificate, he could have abstained—instead of humiliating someone in public.”
Abdullah added that the incident casts a new light on Nitish Kumar, who was previously known as a secular and measured leader.
