New Delhi Dec 18: Union Minister Giriraj Singh Thursday staunchly backed Bihar CM Nitish Kumar amid backlash over a viral video showing him pulling down a woman doctor’s hijab during an AYUSH appointment distribution at his Patna residence. Singh dismissed criticism, insisting “nothing wrong” occurred, framing Kumar’s action as procedural identity verification akin to passport or airport checks: “Nitish acted like a guardian—this is India under rule of law.”
The clip, shared by RJD, captures Kumar’s displeasure—”What is this?”—as he tugs Nusrat Parveen’s veil amid Deputy CM Samrat Choudhary and Health Minister Mangal Pandey; she appears flustered before being ushered aside. Of 1,283 letters (10 in-person), opposition erupted: RJD MP Manoj Jha called visuals “unsettling,” questioning Kumar’s mental state and RSS leanings; Congress labeled it “shameless, vile,” demanding resignation for humiliating women; Shiv Sena (UBT)’s Priyanka Chaturvedi decried public shaming of attire choice; AAP warned against normalizing control.
BJP countered with Ashok Gehlot’s old ghoonghat-removal video, accusing selective outrage for votes. UP Minister Sanjay Nishad’s defense drew misogyny charges—he later cited translation woes, offering withdrawal if sentiments hurt. The row underscores deepening NDA-opposition rifts in Bihar ahead of polls.
