Veteran lyricist and screenwriter Javed Akhtar has once again criticised Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar over the hijab controversy. In a latest interview, Akhtar called Kumar’s act “indecent” and described his behaviour as “male chauvinistic and powerful.”
The incident has sparked nationwide debate, with many questioning Nitish Kumar’s approach and respect for women’s dignity.
Javed Akhtar On Women’s Dignity
Akhtar said that even being an atheist does not justify disrespecting others. “Maybe I’m an atheist, I don’t believe in religion. It means I should go and pull people out of temples and mosques and churches? Should I do that? Or should anybody do it? You can oppose it, you can give your reason, and you should try your best to see to it that people think your way and understand what you intend, but you cannot do this. And particularly with a woman, if not a Muslim woman; a woman,” he told Sardesai.
He added that Kumar’s actions show a sense of unchecked authority. “I want to know any decent person who has certain respect for women’s dignity… What would his reaction be if he was a decent person? So, it is not an issue of Hindu and Muslim.” Akhtar emphasised that the matter is about a woman’s rights, not religion.
Javed Akhtar Demands Unconditional Apology From Nitish Kumar
Javed Akhtar also spoke about Union Minister Giriraj Singh, who defended Kumar’s act, saying it was necessary to show one’s face while collecting official documents. He remarked, “Actually, I appreciate Giriraj Singh. Not for this particular statement, but for his very being because, you know, he’s unadulterated; he’s honest… This is what most people of his kind think.”
The lyricist demanded an unconditional apology from Nitish Kumar. “He has misbehaved with a woman,” Akhtar said. He also posted on X, urging the Chief Minister to acknowledge the wrongdoing and make amends.
About Nitish Kumar Hijab Controversy
The controversy began on December 15, 2025, when a video surfaced showing Kumar pulling down the hijab of young Muslim doctor Nusrat Parveen during an official function. The doctor had approached to collect her appointment letter as a newly recruited AYUSH doctor.
In the video, Kumar gestures at her headscarf, asks “What is this?”, and removes it himself. The act drew sharp criticism from political parties, activists, and social media users.
The incident has gained both national and international attention. Political parties including RJD, Congress, and PDP condemned the act as “disgraceful,” while legal bodies such as the Supreme Court Bar Association called for a formal apology. Some allies of Kumar defended him as a “guardian figure,” but public sentiment remains critical.
