A fresh political controversy has erupted after a Samajwadi Party leader filed an FIR against Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Uttar Pradesh Cabinet Minister Sanjay Nishad over an alleged hijab-related incident that has gone viral on social media.
According to the complaint, Samajwadi Party leader Sumiya Rana on Wednesday approached the police seeking registration of an FIR against the two leaders. The move came a day after a video surfaced online showing Chief Minister Nitish Kumar allegedly pulling down the hijab of a Muslim woman during a public function where appointment letters were being distributed to newly selected AYUSH doctors.
The video, widely circulated across social media platforms, has triggered strong reactions from opposition parties and civil society groups. Critics have described the act as inappropriate and insensitive, alleging that it violated the dignity, privacy, and religious rights of the woman concerned. The incident has also reignited the broader political debate around respect for religious symbols and women’s rights in public spaces.
In her complaint, Sumiya Rana alleged that the act amounted to public humiliation and an affront to the religious sentiments of Muslim women. She further claimed that such behaviour by a constitutional authority sets a wrong precedent and undermines the principles of equality and respect enshrined in the Constitution. The FIR reportedly invokes sections related to insult, misuse of authority, and disturbance of communal harmony.
While opposition leaders demanded an apology and legal accountability, leaders from the ruling alliance have so far maintained silence on the issue. No official statement has been issued by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar or Minister Sanjay Nishad at the time of filing this report.
Meanwhile, political reactions continue to pour in, with the Samajwadi Party calling for strict action and urging authorities to ensure respect for religious practices and women’s dignity at public events.
