RJD slams Nitish after video shows CM removing woman’s hijab

The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) slammed Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar after a video emerged in which he is seen pulling down the hijab of a Muslim woman at a government function. The video was posted by the RJD on X, in which the party called Mr. Kumar a “sanghi”.

The video, shot at the function where Mr. Kumar was distributing appointment letters to AYUSH doctors, showed Mr. Kumar pointing towards the woman’s head scarf and then suddenly pulling it down.

Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, standing behind Mr. Kumar, could be seen trying to stop the Chief Minister even as Health Minister Mangal Pandey and Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Deepak Kumar could be seen laughing.

Sharing the 11-second clip, the RJD said, “What has happened to Nitish ji? His mental state has now reached a completely pitiable condition, or has Nitish babu become 100% sanghi now?”

RJD spokesperson Ejaz Ahmed said, “The removal of the hijab from a Muslim woman’s face clearly reveals the NDA government’s attitude towards the Muslim community. Nitish Kumar is now engaged in the politics of appeasing the BJP and RSS. The Indian Constitution guarantees people of all religions the freedom to follow their religious traditions and customs.”

Earlier in August, Mr. Kumar had triggered a storm when he had refused to wear a skull cap at an event in a madrasa.

This is not the first time the Chief Minister had behaved strangely in public. A few months ago, he placed a flowerpot on the head of an IAS officer at a function. In January, he suddenly started clapping after paying floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi on his 77th death anniversary. In March, he was seen laughing and talking to his Principal Secretary as the national anthem played out at a function. Last year in Darbhanga, Mr. Kumar attempted to touch the feet of Prime Minister Narendra Modi following which Opposition leaders called him a “helpless CM”.