Web Desk (MNN); Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has come under sharp political criticism after a video showed him pulling down the hijab of a newly appointed AYUSH doctor during an official appointment ceremony in Patna, Indian media reported on Monday.
The incident took place at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat, Samvad, where appointment letters were distributed to over 1,000 AYUSH doctors. The video, which quickly went viral on social media, sparked outrage and renewed debate over women’s dignity and religious freedom.
According to Indian media, the incident occurred when Nusrat Parveen, one of ten doctors receiving appointment letters directly from the chief minister, stepped onto the stage wearing a hijab that partially covered her face. Nitish Kumar appeared surprised and was heard asking, “What is this?” before reaching out and pulling down her hijab.
Video footage shows some people in attendance laughing, while the doctor appeared visibly uncomfortable. An official later escorted her away from the stage. During the moment, Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary was also seen trying to restrain Kumar.
The ceremony involved the appointment of 1,283 doctors, including 685 Ayurvedic, 393 homoeopathic and 205 Unani practitioners. While most appointment letters were issued online, a limited number were handed over in person.
Opposition parties strongly condemned the chief minister’s action. The Congress Party shared the video on social media, calling the incident a “vile act” and demanding Kumar’s resignation.
“This is Bihar’s Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. A woman doctor came to receive her appointment letter, and he pulled off her hijab,” the party wrote on X. “If someone holding the highest office in the state behaves this way in public, it raises serious questions about women’s safety. Nitish Kumar must resign immediately.”
The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) also criticised the incident, questioning Kumar’s conduct and mental state, and accusing him of aligning with hardline ideology.
Nitish Kumar has been serving as Bihar’s chief minister since 2015 and was sworn in for a ninth term following the 2025 state elections, amid ongoing public discussion about his health.
Despite the backlash, the chief minister’s office has not issued any official statement on the matter.
The newly appointed AYUSH doctors are expected to serve in healthcare facilities under the AYUSH Medical Services and the National Health Mission, providing outpatient and community healthcare, particularly in rural and underdeveloped regions of Bihar.
