Javed Akhtar
Credit: PTI Photo
Veteran screenwriter-lyricist Javed Akhtar condemned Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's action of removing a Muslim woman's hijab at a public event in Patna.
Akhtar shared a social media post opposing Kumar's act, and said, "Every one who knows me even in the most cursory manner knows how much I am against the traditional concept of Parda but it doesn’t mean that by any stretch of imagination I can accept what Mr Nitish Kumar has done to a Muslim lady doctor."
While handing out appointment letters at a function, Kumar who was standing on a raised platform, exclaimed upon seeing the burqa-clad woman saying, "what is this?" and pulled the veil down, exposing her face. A video of the incident has become viral. Kumar is being criticised for the same all over the internet.
Javed Akhtar demanded an official apology from the chief minister to the lady. He wrote, "Mr Nitish Kumar owes an unconditional apology to the lady."
However, several political leaders backed Kumar's behaviour. Uttar Pradesh Minister, Sanjay Nishad, speaking to a local news channel, said "what would have happened if he had touched somewhere else?"
On the other hand, former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and People Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti said, "Having personally known and admired Nitish ji, I was shocked to see him pull down a young Muslim woman's hijab."
Moreover, a Bengaluru-based advocate has also filed a complaint against Nitish Kumar after he was seen grabbing a woman's hijab.