The incident reflects deep disrespect for Muslim women, their personal choices, and their right to modesty, says Dr Asma Zehra, President of the All India Muslim Women Association
NEW DELHI — Strong condemnation has poured in from Muslim women’s and youth organisations after Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar pulled the hijab of a Muslim lady doctor on a public stage. Terming the act “highly disgraceful” and an assault on a woman’s dignity, several organisations have demanded a public apology from the chief minister and immediate intervention by constitutional bodies.
Dr Asma Zehra, former founding member of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board and President of the All India Muslim Women Association, described the incident as a grave insult not only to the woman concerned but to nearly 100 million Muslim women across the country. She said the act reflected deep disrespect for Muslim women, their personal choices, and their right to modesty.
Dr Zehra demanded that the chief minister issue an unconditional public apology, particularly to the lady doctor involved. “Failing such an apology, Muslim women will be compelled to approach appropriate authorities to seek justice,” she said. She also appealed to leaders and ministers and All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) MLAs to use their political influence to ensure accountability.
Stating that the incident has deeply hurt the sentiments of Muslim sisters, daughters, and mothers across India, Dr Zehra urged all secular political parties to take serious note of the matter. She specifically appealed to AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi to intervene so that no minister or chief minister in the future dares to subject a Muslim woman to such humiliation.
Meanwhile, the National Federation of Youth Movement (NFYM) also strongly condemned the incident, calling it a serious assault on a woman’s dignity and self-respect. In a statement, NFYM Chairman Masihuzzama Ansari demanded that the National Commission for Women (NCW) take immediate cognisance of the matter and issue a notice to the Bihar chief minister.
“Individuals holding constitutional positions are expected to display dignity, sensitivity, and responsible conduct. Such behaviour is completely contrary to democratic values, constitutional propriety, and social decorum,” Ansari said.
Referring to claims circulating in some quarters that the chief minister may be mentally unwell, Ansari asserted that mental illness cannot be used as a justification for inappropriate or offensive behaviour. “If a person is genuinely mentally unfit, they should not hold a constitutional office or participate in public engagements. Mental illness cannot be used as a shield to evade accountability,” he said.
NFYM urged the NCW to view the incident as an attack on a woman’s dignity and identity and to ensure appropriate action without discrimination. The organisation reiterated that no compromise is acceptable when it comes to the respect, dignity, and rights of women.
The youth body also expressed grave concern over what it described as a growing pattern of incidents targeting Muslims, other minority communities, and vulnerable sections of society, particularly women and children. It pointed out that in several cases, including those involving educational institutions, the defence of mental imbalance has repeatedly been invoked to dilute accountability.
Drawing parallels with past cases, NFYM cited the “Sulli Deals” and “Bulli Bai” incidents, where Muslim women were subjected to online “auctions” and the accused were granted bail on what it termed lenient grounds. It also referred to the July 31, 2023 incident in which an RPF constable shot dead three Muslim passengers on a Jaipur–Mumbai superfast train, where mental illness was later cited as a defence.
NFYM asserted that such incidents should not be treated as isolated acts but as matters of social and institutional responsibility. “Strict action, in accordance with the law and without any discrimination, must be ensured against those found guilty,” he said.
