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The controversy started after Bihar CM Nitish Kumar was seen on video attempting to remove Muslim woman doctor’s veil while handing over appointment letter.

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A remark by Uttar Pradesh cabinet minister Sanjay Nishad about a viral video showing Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar removing a Muslim woman’s hijab has triggered political outrage and a police complaint, opposition leaders said on Monday.

Reacting to the video, Nishad said that if there was such an uproar over the removal of a veil, “what would have happened if he had touched somewhere else,” according to a recording of his comments that circulated widely on social media. Nishad was seen laughing as he made the remark.

Opposition politicians described the statement as misogynistic and offensive.

“These shameless words are being said with a laugh by UP government minister Sanjay Nishad,” Congress leader Supriya Shrinate said in a post on social media. “The way he says this shows his vile, absurd and misogynistic mindset.”

The controversy stems from an incident at a government programme in Bihar where a Muslim woman doctor approached Kumar to receive an appointment letter. Video footage shows Kumar handing over the letter and then attempting to remove the woman’s hijab, an act that was captured on camera and shared widely online.

Following Nishad’s comments, Samajwadi Party spokesperson Soumya Rana filed a complaint against both Kumar and Nishad at the Kaiserganj police station in Lucknow, she told reporters.

“After watching Nitish Kumar’s video, it disturbed me deeply,” Rana said. “A woman who comes wearing a veil clearly chooses to do so. He pulled her hijab and then laughed. This reflects a bankrupt mentality and hurts an entire community.”

Rana, who is the daughter of poet Munawwar Rana, said the behaviour was unacceptable for leaders holding constitutional office and demanded that a case be registered.

Responding specifically to Nishad’s remark, she said, “When he says that only the veil was removed and nothing else was touched, what does that imply? It shows hatred towards a community. Strict action must be taken.”