‘Extremely Unsettling’: Pakistan Slams Bihar CM Nitish Kumar Over Removal of Woman Doctor’s Headscarf

Pakistan on Thursday sharply criticised Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar over an incident in which he was seen allegedly removing the naqab (veil) of a young Muslim woman doctor. Islamabad described the act as “deeply disturbing” and said it reflects a troubling pattern of disrespect towards Muslim women in India.

Addressing a weekly press briefing, Tahir Andrabi, spokesperson for Pakistan’s Foreign Office, urged all stakeholders in India to “recognise the seriousness” of the incident and ensure accountability.

“The forcible removal of a Muslim woman’s hijab by a senior political leader, followed by the public ridicule of this act, is extremely unsettling and deserves strong condemnation,” Andrabi stated. He added that such actions undermine the dignity and personal freedoms of Muslim women.

According to Andrabi, the incident risks normalising the humiliation of Muslim women and contributes to an atmosphere of intolerance. He warned that actions by high-ranking political leaders carry significant social consequences and set dangerous precedents.

The Human Rights Council of Pakistan also weighed in, terming Nitish Kumar’s conduct “unacceptable.” The organisation called for a swift, transparent, and impartial investigation into the matter to establish accountability.

In addition, the council appealed to the United Nations and international human rights organisations to take “serious notice” of the episode, arguing that it reflects broader concerns about religious freedom and minority rights.

The issue further escalated on social media when Azma Bokhari, Information Minister of Pakistan’s punjab province, commented on the controversy in a post on X. She said the Bihar CM’s conduct had “once again reminded US of the two-nation theory.”

Bokhari also shared two contrasting videos — one allegedly showing Nitish Kumar removing the naqab of the Muslim doctor, and another depicting Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz honouring a female officer — to underline what she described as differing approaches toward women in leadership and public life.

The incident has sparked cross-border political reactions and renewed debate over religious sensitivity, women’s dignity, and the responsibilities of public officials in multicultural societies.