Voices against Nitish Kumar grow louder in Kashmir: Hijab row finds mention in Mirwaiz sermon, Iltija complaint

He said no position of authority, power or office grants the right to interfere with another person’s self-respect, and emphasised that when dignity is violated in public — particularly by someone in authority — “it sends a deeply troubling message that power can override ethics and basic human values.”

He expressed regret that instead of apologising for his actions, certain political parties and sections of the media are attempting to justify the act by mischaracterising it as an issue of “women’s empowerment”, deliberately dragging the debate into the question of the hijab.

“Such diversions are mischievous and further expose the bigoted mindset of those indulging in it and their limited understanding of Islam,” Mirwaiz said.

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader and former CM Mehbooba Mufti’s daughter, Iltija Mufti, filed a complaint at Srinagar’s Kothi Bagh police station seeking an FIR against Nitish for “violating the dignity of a Muslim woman by forcibly removing her niqab”.

Terming the incident “vile”, in her complaint to the police, Iltija wrote: “We watched with shock, horror and worry as Bihar’s CM Nitish Kumar pulled down the niqab of a young Muslim doctor in full public glare at a government function. What made matters worse was the unsettling reaction of the people around, including Bihar’s Deputy CM, who chuckled and watched with glee.”

She said the “forceful stripping” of her niqab isn’t just a “brutal assault” on a Muslim woman but on the autonomy, identity and dignity of every Indian woman. Pointing out that it transpired at a time of “deliberate othering” and political and economic disempowerment of Muslims across India, she said this was even more disconcerting.

Speaking at the Express Adda event on Wednesday, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had also described the incident as “deeply distressing.” He said, “All of us should worry about what this sort of thing means in India, where an elected chief minister can pull off the face-covering of a young woman on a whim and not face any blowback. It is deeply distressing… The fact that an entire population feels disempowered because they have no representation at all in the treasury benches, much less in the government of India, is something that concerns us.”

Nitish’s party, the JD(U), has described the incident as a “flash” and insisted the CM should instead of judged for all he has done for the benefit of women and Muslims.

Naveed Iqbal is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, and reports from Jammu and Kashmir. With a career spanning over 15 years in frontline journalism, Naveed provides authoritative reporting on the region’s transition, governance, and the socio-political implications of national policies. Expertise Regional Specialization: Based in the Srinagar and New Delhi bureaus, Naveed has spent over a decade documenting the unique challenges of Jammu and Kashmir. Her reporting is distinguished by deep contextual knowledge of the region's post-Article 370, statehood debates, and local electoral politics. Key Coverage Beats: Her extensive body of work covers: Politics & Governance: Tracking the National Conference (NC), PDP, and BJP dynamics, including in-depth coverage of J&K’s first Assembly sessions and Rajya Sabha polls following the reorganization of the state. Internal Security & Justice: Providing rigorous reporting on counter-insurgency operations, terror module investigations, and judicial developments involving political detainees and constitutional rights. Education & Minority Affairs: Highlighting systemic issues such as quota rows in J&K, public service commission reforms, and the challenges faced by minority communities. ... Read More

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