A major controversy erupted in India’s Bihar state after Chief Minister Nitish Kumar was filmed pulling off the hijab of a female AYUSH doctor during a government appointment ceremony in Patna on December 15. The 74-year-old leader was seen gesturing for the doctor to remove her hijab before reaching out himself and uncovering her head, prompting visible discomfort from the woman and laughter from some attendees. Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary reportedly tried to intervene.

The incident has triggered widespread condemnation across political and social platforms. The opposition Congress Party called the act “shameful and disgraceful,” demanding Kumar’s resignation and questioning women’s safety under his leadership. The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) also criticized the behavior, saying it exposed the ruling JD(U)-BJP alliance’s hypocrisy on women’s empowerment. Social media users have described the act as “deplorable,” with many calling for accountability.

This is not the first time Kumar has faced criticism over his behavior toward women. A similar controversy arose in November when a video showed him placing a garland on a woman during a campaign event. The latest uproar could further strain his political standing ahead of upcoming state elections.