UP Minister's Controversial Defense of Nitish Kumar's Hijab Incident Sparks Political Backlash

Uttar Pradesh Minister Sanjay Nishad has ignited controversy with inappropriate comments defending Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's actions involving a woman doctor's hijab at a public event in Patna.

During an interview with a local news channel, Nishad made shocking remarks suggesting, "He's also a human being after all. One should not hound him like this. Just by touching the 'hijab' caused such an uproar, what would have happened if he had touched something else?" The minister was visibly smiling and laughing while making these statements on Bharat Samachar.

Nishad, who serves as a cabinet minister in Yogi Adityanath's government, faced immediate backlash from political leaders across parties.

Samajwadi Party leader Sumaiya Rana filed a formal complaint against Nishad, requesting an FIR and legal action over his remarks.

Former Congress MLA Aslam Shaikh condemned the comments as "vile" and "misogynistic" on social media. "The hijab is sacred to Muslim women. Violating it is assault. Mocking it is despicable. This mindset is exactly why women and minorities feel unsafe under BJP's governance, where slogans like 'Beti Bachao Beti Padhao' are reduced to empty slogans. No woman of any RELIGION deserves this," he posted on X.

Shaikh further demanded immediate action against the minister, calling for his resignation.

Following the backlash, Nishad attempted to clarify his statement, claiming there were "no ill intentions" behind his remarks. "The statement over which a controversy is being created today was said by me, smiling, casually, and in my local Bhojpuri dialect. There was no ill intention towards any community, any woman, or any religion, nor was there any intent to insult," he stated.

The controversy stems from an incident where Nitish Kumar pulled down a woman doctor's hijab during a government event in Patna. Video footage widely circulated on social media shows the 74-year-old JD(U) chief handing a certificate to an AYUSH doctor when he motioned for her to remove her hijab. Before she could respond, Kumar reached out and pulled it down himself, exposing her mouth and chin.

While some attendees laughed at the incident, Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary was seen attempting to intervene. The action has sparked significant criticism, with opposition leaders questioning Kumar's mental state.