A police complaint has been filed in India against Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Uttar Pradesh cabinet minister Sanjay Nishad following an incident in which Kumar was seen pulling down a woman doctor’s niqab at a public ceremony, Indian media reported.
The incident occurred during a certificate distribution event, where a widely circulated video shows Kumar gesturing for the woman to remove her face veil and then pulling it down himself before she could respond. The clip sparked widespread criticism on social media, with calls for an apology and Kumar’s resignation.
According to Indian news agency ANI, Samajwadi Party leader Sumaiya Rana filed a complaint in Lucknow seeking registration of a first information report (FIR) against both leaders. Rana said Kumar’s actions were inappropriate for someone holding a constitutional office and accused Nishad of trivializing the incident through remarks questioning the public outrage.
Advocate Misham Zaidi, who accompanied Rana, said the act amounted to outraging a woman’s modesty and alleged that Nishad’s comments could incite religious tensions. The complaint cites provisions of the Indian Penal Code related to promoting enmity between religious groups and assault against a woman.
Nishad has denied wrongdoing, saying his remarks were misinterpreted and carried no ill intent. The allegations have not yet been tested in court.