The Incident
During a government function in Bihar, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar was filmed pulling the veil of a Muslim woman doctor. The video went viral, sparking outrage across India. Critics described the act as a violation of women’s dignity, personal freedom, and religious sanctity.
Rakhi Sawant’s Reaction
In a video statement, Rakhi Sawant demanded that Nitish Kumar apologize publicly to the victim, addressing her as a sister before the media. She said such behavior was unacceptable, adding:
“If I were to pull your dhoti in public, how would you feel?”
Sawant, who once admired Kumar as a leader, expressed deep disappointment, stressing that Islam commands women to wear the veil and no one has the right to forcibly remove it.
Zaira Wasim’s Statement
Zaira Wasim, known for her role in Dangal, also condemned the incident on her X account. She wrote that a woman’s dignity is not a toy, especially on public platforms. As a Muslim woman, she found it extremely provocative to see another woman’s veil removed with a careless smile. She added: “Power does not mean crossing boundaries.”
Public Outrage
The incident has been widely criticized as a reflection of Hindutva‑driven insensitivity towards minorities. Social media users and rights activists called it a blatant attack on women’s respect, personal liberty, and religious identity.