ALIFA describes the incident as a ‘serious violation of bodily autonomy, dignity, privacy, and freedom of religion’
NEW DELHI — The All-India Feminist Alliance (ALIFA) has urged the National Commission for Women (NCW) to take immediate legal action against Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for violating the dignity of a Muslim woman doctor during a recent public event in Patna.
The alliance, affiliated with the National Alliance of People’s Movements (NAPM), expressed concern over the inaction of the women’s body on the incident. NAPM is a large coalition of progressive social organisations in India.
In a representation submitted to the NCW, the feminist alliance demanded suo motu cognisance of the December 15 incident at a government function where appointment letters were distributed to newly recruited AYUSH doctors. Video footage from the event shows Nitish Kumar pulling down the niqab (face veil) of Dr Nusrat Parveen after remarking, “What is this?” and gesturing for her to remove it.
The act, performed on a public stage in the presence of officials and dignitaries, left the woman visibly startled, with no one intervening. ALIFA described the incident as a “serious violation of bodily autonomy, dignity, privacy, and freedom of religion.” According to media reports cited by the group, Dr Parveen has since decided not to join government service despite receiving her appointment letter.
The feminist collective said the chief minister’s conduct reflected “patriarchal entitlement” and amounted to treating a woman’s body as public property. It argued that the act attracts penal provisions under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, including Sections 74 (assault to outrage modesty), 76 (assault with intent to disrobe), and 79 (acts intended to insult a woman’s modesty). The incident, it added, also violates constitutional guarantees under Articles 14, 15, 19, 21, and 25.
ALIFA termed the episode an example of “gender oppression intersecting with religious discrimination,” warning that such conduct by a sitting chief minister sends a dangerous message, particularly to women from minority communities. “When the highest elected official in a state behaves in this manner, it raises grave concerns about women’s safety and dignity under his governance,” the statement said.
The group also condemned attempts to portray the incident as “fatherly affection” or as highlighting minority women’s progress, calling such explanations patronising and dismissive of the power imbalance involved. It further criticised Uttar Pradesh minister Sanjay Nishad for making objectionable remarks about the incident, demanding legal action against him as well.
ALIFA urged the NCW to ensure an unconditional public apology from Nitish Kumar, initiate legal proceedings against him and others who justified the act, provide compensation and protection to the aggrieved woman, and ensure her permanent government employment with dignity and safety. The alliance also expressed concern that the NCW had not yet taken suo motu cognisance of the matter yet.
