People’s Democratic Party’s Iltija Mufti filed a written complaint in the Kothibagh Police Station, Srinagar, seeking registration of an FIR against Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar over an incident in which he pulled down the niqab of a Muslim woman during a public function.
The complaint read that the incident caused “immense distress and hurt” among Muslims, particularly women. She referred to visuals from a recent government event in Bihar where Nitish Kumar was seen pulling down the niqab of a young Muslim doctor, Nurse Parveen, in full public view.
The complainant alleged that what further aggravated the incident was the reaction of people present at the event, including Bihar’s Deputy Chief Minister, who, she claimed, watched and laughed instead of intervening. She described the act as a violation of the woman’s autonomy, identity and dignity.
The complaint stated that the incident occurred at a time when Muslims across India were facing what it termed deliberate political and economic marginalisation, making the episode even more disturbing. It also alleged that similar incidents had followed across the country, with videos circulating of individuals forcibly removing hijabs from Muslim women, which the complainant claimed were emboldened by the Bihar Chief Minister’s actions.
Expressing concern over the lack of concrete action, the complainant said no deterrent steps had been taken so far and alleged that leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party and other men in positions of power were justifying or condoning the act.
The complaint urged the police to apply the rule of law uniformly, asserting that holding the office of Chief Minister does not place an individual above the law. It called for the immediate registration of an FIR against Nitish Kumar to protect the dignity of Indian women and uphold their right to dress without fear.