Bollywood actress Rakhi Sawant has strongly condemned Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for forcibly pulling down a Muslim woman doctor’s hijab during an official ceremony in Patna on December 15, 2025. The actress, who converted to Islam after her second marriage, took to Instagram to defend the woman’s religious rights and demand an apology from the 75-year-old politician.
In an emotional video message, Rakhi directly addressed the Chief Minister, saying she had great respect for him, but his actions were completely wrong. She emphasized that in Islam, no one has the right to touch or remove a woman’s hijab, as it is a religious obligation and a deeply personal choice. The actress questioned how he could publicly humiliate a woman who came to receive her appointment letter.
Rakhi made a powerful comparison to drive home her point, asking Kumar how he would feel if someone publicly pulled off his dhoti or traditional clothing in front of everyone. She stated that just as a woman gives respect, she also deserves respect in return, and what he did showed no shame. Using strong language, she said that, referencing the Quran, pulling down a woman’s hijab is a serious offense and demanded that the Chief Minister publicly apologize for his shameful behavior.
The incident occurred when Kumar was distributing appointment letters to over 1,000 newly recruited AYUSH doctors at his secretariat. When Dr. Nusrat Parveen, wearing a hijab covering her face, approached to collect her letter, Kumar reportedly frowned, asked “What is this?” and proceeded to pull her hijab down before the entire audience. Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary attempted to stop him by tugging at his sleeve, but the damage was already done.
Rakhi’s bold stance has earned widespread praise on social media, with users applauding her courage to speak out against a powerful politician. Many commented that this was perhaps the first time they were genuinely proud of Rakhi Sawant for using her platform to defend religious freedom and women’s dignity. Her Muslim identity and personal connection to the faith added weight to her criticism, as she spoke not just as a celebrity but as someone who understands the significance of hijab in Islamic practice.
The actress’s statement comes amid growing concerns about religious discrimination in India, particularly regarding Muslim women’s right to wear hijab in public spaces and educational institutions.
