Bollywood personality Rakhi Sawant has fiercely criticized Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for an incident where he pulled down a Muslim AYUSH doctor’s niqab (face veil) during a public appointment letter distribution event in Patna on December 15, 2025. In a viral Instagram video, Sawant known for her outspoken views and having embraced Islam previously demanded an immediate public apology, highlighting the act’s insensitivity toward women’s religious choices.
The controversy erupted after footage showed Kumar gesturing at the doctor’s veil, saying “What is this?” before reaching out and pulling it down, briefly exposing her face. The doctor, identified as Nusrat Parveen, appeared flustered as officials intervened. Sawant, in her signature dramatic style, addressed Kumar directly: “If I pulled your dhoti or underwear string in public, how would you feel? You give respect to women on one hand and take it away on the other.” She urged him to call the media, invite the woman, and apologize sincerely, calling her “behen” (sister).
Sawant’s response resonates with her advocacy for Muslim women’s rights, earning praise online for her boldness despite occasional trolling. Netizens commented, “Her heart is in the right place” and “Only Rakhi can speak fearlessly.”
The Rakhi Sawant Nitish Kumar hijab incident has drawn broader condemnation from opposition leaders, including Mehbooba Mufti and RJD, who questioned Kumar’s mental fitness and demanded his resignation. JD(U) defended it as “fatherly affection,” claiming he wanted to showcase a “successful Muslim daughter.” However, critics view it as a violation of personal dignity and religious freedom.
As debates on consent, power dynamics, and cultural respect intensify, the episode underscores ongoing sensitivities around women’s attire in public life.
