NEW DELHI (Dunya News) - A controversial remark by Uttar Pradesh cabinet minister Sanjay Nishad has triggered widespread political and social backlash in India, following a viral video involving Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.
The uproar began after a video circulated on social media showing Nitish Kumar attempting to remove the hijab of a Muslim woman doctor during an official appointment ceremony in Bihar.
Commenting on the clip, Sanjay Nishad laughed and made an offensive remark suggesting that if merely removing a hijab caused such outrage, a more serious act would have led to an even bigger reaction. “He only touched her hijab, what would have happened if he had touched her somewhere else,” he remarked.
His statement has been widely condemned as misogynistic, indecent, and hateful toward a particular community.
Senior Congress leader Supriya Shrinate strongly denounced the remarks, saying they reflected a “deeply regressive and anti-women mindset” unbecoming of a cabinet minister. She termed the statement shameful and unacceptable, calling for accountability.
Following the controversy, Samajwadi Party leader and spokesperson Soumya Rana filed a formal complaint at Kaiserganj police station in Lucknow against both Nitish Kumar and Sanjay Nishad. Rana said the video caused her severe mental distress and hurt the sentiments of an entire community.
She stressed that while India claims to uphold respect for women, such conduct by individuals holding high constitutional offices is intolerable. Rana warned that if strict legal action is not taken, protests against the incident would be expanded nationwide.