Bihar CM Nitish Kumar embroiled in controversy over removing the hijab of a Muslim woman. Even before this, he has been in controversies over sexist comments on women, refusal to accept Muslim cap, national anthem controversy and obscene statements on population control.
Nitish Kumar Hijab Controversy: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is in controversy these days for pulling the hijab of a Muslim woman in public. Recently, during a program organized in Patna, while distributing appointment letters to AYUSH doctors, he asked Muslim woman Nusrat Parveen to remove her hijab. After this Nitish Kumar himself pulled down the hijab. Many opposition parties including RJD-Congress objected to this. At the same time, now this matter is gaining momentum. Well, Nitish Kumar and controversies have gone hand in hand. Know about some of his big controversies.
1- Sexist comments on women (2023-2024)
Nitish Kumar made a controversial statement linking women’s education to population growth. He said that educated women have more children and used obscene gestures. After this there were protests in Bihar Assembly. Many women’s organizations condemned his statement. He later apologized.
2- Refusal to wear a hat (2025)
During the centenary celebrations of Bihar Madrassa Education Board in August 2025, Nitish Kumar refused to accept the Muslim ‘cap’ given by a minister. In fact, despite his secular image, he was heavily criticized for being insensitive towards minorities.
3- National anthem issue (2025)
Nitish Kumar also came into controversy for allegedly insulting the national anthem at a public event, after which a petition was filed against him. In fact, during the inauguration of a match in Patna’s Patliputra Stadium in March 2025, Nitish Kumar walked off the stage when the national anthem was announced. When the national anthem played, he kept smiling and tried to talk to his Principal Secretary and started greeting the media persons. After this the opposition raised questions regarding the health of Nitish Kumar.
4- Comments on population control
In Bihar Assembly, Nitish Kumar repeatedly made obscene statements regarding population control, due to which he was continuously criticized. In November 2023, he had given a controversial statement regarding man-woman relationship (reproduction), after which the women members present in the Assembly had expressed strong objection to it.
5- Nitish Kumar started clapping after silence
After observing silence in the memory of President Mahatma Gandhi on 30 January 2025, Nitish Kumar suddenly started clapping. There was a lot of criticism for his such behaviour.
6- Bow and arrow thrown during Dussehra
During the Ravana killing ceremony held at Gandhi Maidan in October 2024, he was given bows and arrows to use on Ravana. But he threw it away. Seeing this the people present there were stunned.
7- Nitish Kumar was seen playing with a bracelet in the assembly.
In November 2024, when Ashok Choudhary was addressing the House in the Bihar Assembly, Nitish Kumar, sitting close to him, was seen playing with his bracelet.