A video showing Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar pulling down a woman’s hijab during a government event in Patna has triggered widespread outrage on social media and strong reactions from political leaders and public figures. Former Bollywood actor Zaira Wasim has now spoken out against the incident, calling it deeply disturbing and demanding an ‘unconditional apology’ from the chief minister. The video, which has gone viral, shows Nitish Kumar handing a certificate to an AYUSH doctor during a public ceremony. He is then seen gesturing for the woman to remove her hijab. When she does not immediately respond, the chief minister reaches out and pulls down the hijab himself, exposing her mouth and chin in front of those present.
Reacting strongly to the footage, Zaira Wasim took to X to express her anger and disappointment. The 25-year-old actor, best known for her performances in Dangal and Secret Superstar, described the incident as a violation of a woman’s dignity. “A woman's dignity and modesty are not props to toy with, least of all on a public stage,” she wrote in her post. Zaira further explained how upsetting the incident was for her on a personal level. “As a Muslim woman, watching another woman's niqab being pulled at so casually, accompanied by that nonchalant smile, was so infuriating,” she added. In her statement, she made it clear that holding a position of authority does not justify such behaviour. “Power does not grant permission to violate boundaries,” Zaira stated, directly tagging the Bihar chief minister and adding that “@NitishKumar owes that woman an unconditional apology.”
A woman’s dignity and modesty are not props to toy with. Least of all on a public stage. As a Muslim woman, watching another woman’s niqab being pulled at so casually, accompanied by that nonchalant smile, was so infuriating.
— Zaira Wasim (@ZairaWasimmm) December 15, 2025
Power does not grant permission to violate…
Meanwhile, the incident has also drawn criticism from several political parties. Leaders from the Congress party described Nitish Kumar’s actions as “shameless”, while the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) went a step further by questioning the chief minister’s mental state. The video has sparked broader conversations around personal boundaries, respect for religious practices and the treatment of women at public events. Many social media users have condemned the act, calling it inappropriate and disrespectful, particularly given the public setting and the power imbalance involved.
On the other hand, Zaira Wasim quit the film industry in 2019, stating that acting conflicted with her faith and religious beliefs. Since then, she has largely stayed away from public life but occasionally uses social media to speak out on issues she feels strongly about. Her response to the hijab incident has resonated with many, especially within the Muslim community. As of now, there has been no official response from Nitish Kumar or his office regarding the controversy.