The recent incident where Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar publicly removed a female doctor's hijab during a government event has erupted into a nationwide political and social controversy. Protests have spread from Patna to Kolkata, with students, women's organizations, and opposition parties demanding an apology from the Chief Minister.
At Patna Women's College, students organized a gathering to make their voices heard against this incident. The students asserted that the Chief Minister, who secured votes by promising women's safety and dignity, has himself undermined a woman's honor while leaders on stage smiled on. Labeling it as shameful, the students demanded a public apology from the Chief Minister.
College student Ishika remarked, “If you wanted to see her face, you could have requested politely. It is wrong to pull off a woman's hijab. The leaders who support such an act are equally at fault.”
Another student, Taslim Zahra, stated, “To us, the hijab signifies dignity. For any woman, her honor is paramount. Removing someone's hijab on a public stage is wrong.”
Iltija Mufti Files a Complaint
Jammu and Kashmir PDP leader Iltija Mufti has lodged a complaint at Patna's Kothibagh police station, demanding an FIR against Nitish Kumar. Iltija Mufti asserted that this is not just an attack on a female doctor, but on the autonomy, identity, and dignity of every Indian woman. She accused that the Deputy Chief Minister and other leaders' reactions on stage exacerbated the situation.
Women's Protest March in Kolkata
In Kolkata, a large group of women held a protest march on Thursday evening. Marching from Park Circus to Gariahat, they chanted slogans against Nitish Kumar and demanded an apology. TMC leader Firhad Hakim's daughter, Priyadarshini Hakim, criticized the Chief Minister's actions as anti-women and insensitive. The joint participation of Hindu and Muslim women in the protest highlighted the issue as one concerning women's respect and constitutional values.
