Bihar CM Nitish Kumar faced backlash for pulling down a Muslim woman doctor’s hijab during a public ceremony.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar drew widespread condemnation on December 15, 2025, after a video showed him pulling down the hijab of a Muslim woman doctor, Nusrat Parveen, during a ceremony in Patna where she was receiving an appointment letter as an AYUSH doctor. The incident, captured on camera and shared widely online, prompted backlash from opposition parties, civil society, and religious leaders who called the act disrespectful, humiliating, and a violation of personal and religious dignity. Some in the audience were seen laughing, and Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary appeared to intervene. While no official explanation has been given, the event has sparked national debate over religious freedom, women’s dignity, and the conduct of public officials.