Patna, Dec 16: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has sparked a political controversy after a video from a government function showed him pulling aside the face veil of a woman doctor while handing over an appointment letter. The incident occurred during an official ceremony for the appointment of 1,283 AYUSH practitioners in the state.
The video, widely shared on social media, shows the 75-year-old chief minister frowning at the face veil worn by Dr Parveen, an AYUSH doctor dressed in a striped kurta and hijab, before briefly moving it aside. Dr Parveen appeared visibly surprised but accepted the appointment letter without any protest. Officials standing nearby were seen looking startled as the moment unfolded on stage.
The incident quickly drew sharp reactions from opposition parties. Leaders from the Congress and the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) condemned the chief minister’s action, calling it inappropriate and disrespectful. Some opposition figures described the act as “shameless” and questioned Nitish Kumar’s conduct and fitness for public office, particularly at a formal government event.
“This reflects a disturbing disregard for personal boundaries and individual choice,” opposition leaders said, adding that attire is a personal matter and should not be interfered with in a public or official setting.
As of now, there has been no official response from Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, his party, or Dr Parveen regarding the incident. The silence has further fuelled debate, with the clip continuing to circulate widely across social media platforms.
The episode has once again brought to the fore deeper political and social divides in Bihar, particularly around questions of personal attire, dignity, and acceptable public behaviour by those in positions of power. Analysts say such moments, amplified by social media, often take on larger significance in a politically charged environment and can influence public perception beyond the immediate event.
