Nitish Kumar Owes Unconditional Apology to Woman, Says Javed Akhtar Over ‘Naqab’ Row.
New Delhi/Patna:
Veteran writer and lyricist Javed Akhtar on Thursday strongly condemned Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for allegedly pulling off a woman’s veil during a public function, saying the act was unacceptable and that the Chief Minister owed the woman an unconditional apology.
The incident, captured in a video that has since gone viral on social media, took place at ‘Samvad’, the Bihar Chief Minister’s secretariat, during a function where appointment letters were being distributed to newly appointed candidates. When a Muslim woman doctor came forward to receive her appointment letter, Nitish Kumar reportedly objected to her ‘naqab’ (veil), saying “what is this”, and then removed it in public.
The video triggered a major political controversy, drawing widespread criticism from various quarters in India and abroad, including reactions from several West Asian countries. The JD(U) president has been accused by critics of showing disrespect towards Muslim traditions and violating a woman’s personal dignity.
Reacting to the incident, Javed Akhtar took to social media platform X to express his outrage in strong words. While reiterating his long-standing opposition to the traditional concept of ‘parda’, Akhtar made it clear that personal beliefs cannot justify violating someone’s autonomy.
“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,” Akhtar wrote. “Mr Nitish Kumar owes an unconditional apology to the lady.”
Akhtar also lashed out at an X user who accused him of “selective outrage” over the issue. Responding sharply, the lyricist said, “How dare you accuse me of selective outrage. If you don’t know how strongly I oppose the right wingers and regressives of my own community you are an imbecile.” He further challenged the user to name any film written by him that portrayed women in a “poor light”.
The noted writer has consistently spoken against ‘parda’ and regressive social practices. Most recently, at a literary festival in 2025, Akhtar addressed a question on women wearing burkhas and face coverings. Responding to a student, he questioned the logic behind covering a woman’s face, saying, “Why should you be ashamed of your face? Why should you be? I believe that revealing clothes – whether men wear them or women – don’t look dignified.”
He further added, “But what makes her cover her face? What’s so vulgar, obscene and undignified about her face that it’s covered? Why? This is peer pressure.”
As the controversy continues to escalate, opposition leaders and civil society voices have demanded accountability from the Bihar Chief Minister, while the incident has reopened debates around personal choice, religious freedom, and respect for women in public spaces.
