Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has demanded Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar apologize to a woman doctor whose veil he allegedly pulled down during a government function in Patna, sparking significant outrage across the country. This incident occurred on Monday, during an appointment letter distribution ceremony for AYUSH doctors at the Bihar Secretariat.
Abdullah condemned Kumar’s actions as unacceptable, stating there was no justification for the Bihar Chief Minister to touch the woman’s clothing. Eyewitnesses reported that Kumar remarked, “What is this?” before removing the doctor’s naqab, further fueling the controversy.
“Would you do such an act? I would not,” Abdullah asserted, criticizing Kumar’s conduct in public office. He revealed that the doctor is reportedly unwilling to accept her appointment letter and has decided against joining government service following the incident. Abdullah urged Kumar to apologize and encourage the doctor to take her position.
In a statement addressing reactions to Kumar’s behavior, Abdullah responded to Union Minister and BJP leader Giriraj Singh, who defended the Chief Minister. He stated that one cannot expect impartial treatment from the ruling party.
“If a Muslim leader had touched the veil of a Hindu woman in Haryana or Rajasthan, there would have been an uproar. But since the woman here is Muslim, the BJP finds nothing wrong,” he remarked, highlighting the apparent double standards in political responses based on religious identities.
Abdullah insisted that the core issue transcends religion, focusing instead on the principles of dignity and respect. He questioned the rationale behind Kumar’s actions, asserting, “How can anyone touch a woman’s clothes like this? Why did the Chief Minister feel the need to do so?” He reiterated the need for Kumar to recognize his lapse in judgment and subsequently apologize.
On a broader political and national canvas, Abdullah addressed recent remarks by Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan regarding India’s aerial conflict with Pakistan, dismissing them as mere personal opinion and not representative of the Congress party’s stance. He commended opposition parties for their solidarity with the government and armed forces following the Pahalgam terror attack.
Abdullah was in Patna to participate in the 11th edition of the India’s International Movement to Unite Nations (IIMUN) Role Model Series, where he elaborated on the “idea of India.” He emphasized the historical significance of Jammu and Kashmir’s choice to accede to India during Partition, a decision that he believes merits preservation.
“I come from a Muslim-majority State that could have gone with Pakistan, especially given its proximity. However, Jammu and Kashmir chose India, illustrating a fundamental aspect of the idea of India we must protect,” he said, advocating for a nation where diverse ideas coexist within a democratic framework.
Further addressing meritocracy, Abdullah commented on the ongoing debates surrounding medical college admissions and sports selections in Jammu and Kashmir. He critiqued the tendency to analyze admissions based on religious identity rather than talent.
Referencing the notable composition of a recent MBBS batch at Vaishno Devi Medical College, where 42 out of 50 admitted students were Muslim, he challenged the discussions around this issue as misplaced. He expressed concerns over similar scrutiny regarding the Jammu and Kashmir football team for the Santosh Trophy.
“The only balance that should matter is between the talented and the untalented,” he stated firmly. He envisioned an India for future generations where merit serves as the sole determinant of success, regardless of one’s religious background.
