Islamabad/Patna: The ongoing hijab controversy surrounding Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has drawn criticism from Pakistan, with Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar condemning the incident in which a Muslim woman’s hijab was forcibly removed at a government event. Dar described the act as “shameful” and emphasized the urgent need to protect minority rights and curb rising Islamophobia.
On social media platform X, Dar stated that respect for women and religious beliefs must remain a fundamental, non-negotiable principle in every society. Pakistan’s Human Rights Council also condemned the incident, urging the Indian government to conduct a transparent and impartial investigation. In its statement, the Council described the act as not just an insult to an individual, but an attack on human dignity, religious freedom, women’s autonomy, and fundamental human rights, unacceptable in any civilized, democratic, and secular state.
Bihar Minister Supports Nitish Kumar
Amid widespread criticism, Bihar Minister Jama Khan defended Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, stating that there was no malicious intent behind the act. Speaking to the media, Khan said, “CM Nitish Kumar is known for working for all sections of society. The female doctor involved is like a daughter to him. He acted as a caring father or guardian. He feels proud that a daughter from a minority community has achieved success in his government.”
Khan also dismissed allegations of threats allegedly made by a Pakistani don, calling them baseless and stressing that such intimidation carries no weight in India. He criticized the opposition for politicizing the incident without reason.
The Hijab Controversy
The controversy erupted on December 15, during a ceremony at the Chief Minister Secretariat’s auditorium, where Nitish Kumar distributed appointment letters to 1,283 AYUSH doctors. Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary and Health Minister Mangal Pandey were also present.
Following the incident, several public figures, including actress Rakhi Sawant, criticized the Chief Minister. A woman reportedly filed an FIR against Nitish Kumar at a Lucknow police station. The female doctor involved, Dr. Nusrat Parveen, has temporarily left Bihar, relocating to Kolkata to stay with her family due to safety concerns. She was scheduled to join the government service on December 20, but the controversy raised serious concerns for her security and well-being.
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