Omar Abdullah Says Nitish Kumar’s Hijab Act is “Unjustifiable”
Omar Abdullah criticised Nitish Kumar over a hijab incident, calling the act unjustifiable and politically revealing.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah sharply criticised Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on December 17, 2025, over a viral video showing Kumar pulling down the hijab of a Muslim woman doctor during a public event in Patna. Abdullah described the act as unjustifiable and suggested it revealed Kumar's shifting political stance away from his long-held secular image.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a function in Srinagar, Abdullah said, "Nitish Kumar, who was once considered a secular leader, may be slowly showing his true colours." He emphasised that removing a woman's face veil without consent was fundamentally wrong, regardless of context.
The incident occurred on December 16 when Kumar, 74, was distributing certificates to AYUSH doctors. Video footage showed him motioning for the woman to lower her hijab before reaching out and pulling it down himself, exposing her mouth and chin, while some in the audience laughed.
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Abdullah's remarks add to widespread condemnation from opposition leaders, who have questioned Kumar's conduct and called for greater sensitivity toward religious attire. The episode has reignited debates on women's autonomy and respect for personal choices in public interactions.
As a key NDA ally, Kumar's actions have drawn scrutiny amid his party's reliance on Muslim voter support in Bihar. The Bihar CM has not yet responded publicly to the criticism. The controversy highlights ongoing discussions on gender and religious sensitivities among India's political figures, with calls for accountability growing louder.
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