Women’s rights alliance seeks NCW action against Nitish Kumar over public veil incident

By A Representative

An alliance of women’s rights activists has urged the National Commission for Women (NCW) to initiate legal action against Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar over an incident at a public function in Patna that they allege amounted to a grave violation of a Muslim woman’s dignity and constitutional rights.

In a detailed complaint dated December 18, the All India Feminist Alliance (ALIFA), part of the National Alliance of People’s Movements (NAPM), sought the NCW’s immediate intervention following an episode on December 15 during the distribution of appointment letters to newly recruited AYUSH doctors in Patna.

According to widely circulated video footage and media reports cited in the complaint, Nitish Kumar allegedly pulled down the naqab of Dr. Nusrat Parveen, a Muslim woman doctor, in full public view after remarking “What is this?” and gesturing for her to remove it herself. The incident reportedly took place in the presence of senior officials and dignitaries, none of whom intervened, leaving the woman visibly startled.

ALIFA stated that the act was non-consensual, humiliating and an abuse of power, amounting to a violation of bodily autonomy, personal dignity, privacy and freedom of religion. The group said the Chief Minister’s conduct reflected patriarchal entitlement and treated the woman’s body as “public property” rather than respecting her as an autonomous adult and qualified professional. It also cited reports suggesting that Dr. Parveen has decided not to join government service despite receiving her appointment letter, allegedly due to the trauma caused by the incident.

In its representation to the NCW, ALIFA argued that the Chief Minister’s actions constitute offences under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, including provisions relating to assault or use of criminal force against a woman with intent to outrage her modesty, disrobe her, or insult her modesty. The alliance further said the incident violated fundamental rights guaranteed under the Constitution, including equality before law, non-discrimination, freedom of expression, the right to life with dignity, and freedom of religion.

The complaint described the episode as an example of gender oppression intersecting with religious discrimination, warning that such conduct by a sitting Chief Minister undermines trust in public institutions meant to safeguard women’s rights. It also linked the incident to what it termed a broader pattern of stigmatization of religious attire such as hijab, burqa, skull cap and beard. ALIFA criticised attempts by some quarters to frame the act as “fatherly affection” or as an effort to showcase minority women’s progress, calling such explanations patronising and dismissive of the power imbalance involved.

The alliance also condemned remarks attributed to Uttar Pradesh minister Sanjay Nishad, who reportedly commented on the incident in a manner ALIFA described as “outrageous and disgusting,” and demanded legal action against him and others who, it said, sought to justify the Chief Minister’s conduct.

ALIFA expressed concern that the NCW had not taken suo motu cognisance of the matter despite its seriousness. In its appeal, the group demanded an unconditional public apology from Nitish Kumar, initiation of legal proceedings against him and other public figures for objectionable comments, adequate protection and compensation for the aggrieved woman, and assurance of permanent government employment for Dr. Parveen with full dignity and safety. It also called on the Bihar government and the Union government to take proactive steps to protect the rights and religious freedom of women, particularly those from minority communities.

The appeal was signed by more than 40 activists, lawyers, researchers and scholars from across the country and issued formally by the All India Feminist Alliance (ALIFA–NAPM), which said it stood in solidarity with women asserting their autonomy and dignity and urged firm action to uphold fairness and justice in the matter.

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