A routine government ceremony in Patna spiralled into a national controversy, triggering political outrage, women leaders’ criticism, and intelligence alerts that led to heightened security for Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar amid rising tensions.
Opposition parties strongly criticised Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.
Patna: What began as a formal appointment letter distribution event in Patna unexpectedly became the center of a nationwide debate. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar was attending a ceremony to hand over appointment letters to newly selected AYUSH doctors. During the event, an interaction with a woman recipient triggered a controversy that quickly spread beyond the venue.
During the public function, the Chief Minister was seen allegedly removing the hijab of a Muslim woman who had stepped forward to receive her appointment letter. A video clip of the moment surfaced on social media shortly after, rapidly drawing sharp reactions. Many viewers described the act as inappropriate and disrespectful, leading to widespread anger and emotional responses across political and social platforms.
Opposition parties wasted little time in condemning the Chief Minister. Leaders from the Rashtriya Janata Dal and other parties called the act shameful and unacceptable. They accused Nitish Kumar of hurting religious sentiments and demanded accountability. As criticism mounted, the controversy began to dominate political discourse, adding pressure on the state leadership.
As reactions intensified, intelligence agencies shared specific alerts related to the controversy. Based on these inputs, authorities decided to enhance the Chief Minister’s security cover. Officials confirmed that the move was precautionary, aimed at addressing potential threats emerging from the charged atmosphere. Details of the revised security arrangements were not made public.
The situation took a more serious turn after a threat was reportedly issued from Pakistan. A person identified as Shehzad Bhatti allegedly issued a threat against the Chief Minister in connection with the incident. Following this development, the Bihar Director General of Police ordered a thorough examination of the video message linked to the threat. Officials stated that further action would depend on the outcome of the investigation.
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The controversy also drew sharp responses from women parliamentarians cutting across party lines. Jharkhand Mukti Morcha MP Mahua Manjhi stressed that dignity and respect for women must be upheld at all times. She stated that any action that causes humiliation to a woman, regardless of religion or background, is unacceptable and deserves condemnation.
Samajwadi Party MP Iqra Hasan also criticised the Chief Minister’s conduct. She said the woman, who earned her position through merit, was humiliated in public. According to her, the woman has since left Bihar to stay with her brother in Kolkata. Hasan emphasised that age or seniority cannot justify such behavior and demanded a public apology from the Chief Minister.
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The episode has moved beyond a political disagreement and has become a broader conversation about respect, consent, and conduct by those in positions of power. The involvement of intelligence agencies and security forces highlights how quickly public actions can escalate into matters of law, order, and national concern.
With enhanced security now in place, the focus has shifted to managing both the political fallout and the security implications. Officials remain cautious as investigations continue into the threat message and the circumstances surrounding the incident. The episode serves as a reminder of the heightened scrutiny faced by public figures in the digital age.
