Kashmiri leaders slam Nitish Kumar for pulling down veil of woman doctor

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti questioned Kumar’s continuation in office following the incident. “Having personally known and admired Nitishji, I was shocked to see him pull down a young Muslim woman’s naqaab. Does one attribute it to old age or the normalisation of humiliating Muslims publicly?” Mufti wrote in a post on X.

She added that the reaction of those present on the stage was equally disturbing. “The fact that people around him watched this horrific incident unfold as some form of entertainment is even more unsettling. Nitish Sahab, perhaps it’s time you step down?” she said.

National Conference MP from Srinagar, Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi, described the chief minister’s conduct as “indefensible and deeply disturbing.”

“Publicly pulling at a Muslim woman’s burqa is unacceptable. He owes the woman and the public an unconditional apology. This erratic conduct is alarming and points to a man who no longer possesses the composure or mental clarity required for constitutional office. Seeking medical attention and stepping aside is necessary,” Ruhullah said.

CPM MLA from Kulgam, MY Tarigami, termed the act a violation of constitutional and democratic values. “Such an act deserves unequivocal condemnation as it violates religious freedom and personal dignity. It goes against the spirit of the Constitution and democratic norms,” he said.

President of the All J&K Shia Association, Imran Reza Ansari, who has written to the Bihar Chief Minister, also condemned what he described as “the forcible removal of a woman doctor’s hijab on stage.”

“Let this be stated unequivocally: this is not about politics. This is about the basic constitutional right to religious freedom, human dignity, and respectful coexistence in a democratic India. Forcibly removing a woman's veil, especially a doctor, a symbol of service, education and empowerment cannot be justified under any circumstance. Such actions are unacceptable in the democracy of India,” Ansari said, demanding an unconditional apology and accountability.

Actor Zaira Wasim, who quit Bollywood, also reacted to the incident, calling it a violation of a woman’s dignity. “A woman’s dignity and modesty are not props to toy with. Least of all on a public stage. As a Muslim woman, watching another woman’s niqab being pulled at so casually, accompanied by that nonchalant smile, was so infuriating. Power does not grant permission to violate boundaries. Nitish Kumar owes that woman an unconditional apology,” she said on X.