Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah called for Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to apologise to a woman doctor whose veil Kumar controversially pulled down during an official event in Patna. This incident, which took place on Monday during a government function, has ignited widespread outrage.
The event occurred at the Bihar Secretariat where an appointment letter distribution ceremony took place for AYUSH doctors. Kumar allegedly remarked, “What is this?” before pulling down the woman’s naqab. Abdullah deemed this act unacceptable and said there was no justification for any Chief Minister to touch a woman’s clothing.
At a press conference in Jammu, Abdullah voiced, “Would you do such an act? I would not.” He revealed that the woman doctor has refused to accept her appointment letter and stated that Kumar should apologise to her and encourage her to join the government service.
In a response to Union Minister and BJP leader Giriraj Singh’s justification of Kumar’s actions, Abdullah expressed disappointment. He suggested that any similar act by a Muslim leader towards a Hindu woman would have stirred a massive uproar. “But since the woman here is Muslim, the BJP finds nothing wrong,” he added.
Abdullah clarified that his concern transcends religion, focusing on dignity and respect toward women. He questioned, “How can anyone touch a woman’s clothes like this? Why did the Chief Minister feel the need to do so?” This plea urged Kumar to own his mistake and make amends.
Additionally, Abdullah addressed broader political issues. When asked about Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan’s commentary on the military’s performance during Operation Sindoor against Pakistan, he remarked that such opinions are personal and do not represent the Congress stance.
“The Congress and other opposition parties stood firmly with the government and the defence forces after the Pahalgam terror attack,” Abdullah stated, reinforcing a sense of unity across party lines in support of the military.
Abdullah was in Jammu to participate in the 11th edition of India’s International Movement to Unite Nations (IIMUN) Role Model Series. During his address, he touched on the concept of the “idea of India” while reflecting on Jammu and Kashmir’s historical decision to accede to India.
“I come from a Muslim-majority State, which could have gone with Pakistan at the time of Partition. Yet Jammu and Kashmir chose India. That choice defines the idea of India we must protect,” he expressed passionately.
Abdullah acknowledged that while viewpoints may diverge, democracy and majority rule offer room for debate, even though some recent developments in the political landscape have caused him concern.
Furthermore, he highlighted meritocracy over religious identity in education and sports selections in Jammu and Kashmir. He criticized the divisive discussions following the admission of 42 out of 50 students in the first MBBS batch at Vaishno Devi Medical College, who were Muslims, and similar apprehensions regarding the J&K football team for the Santosh Trophy.
“The only balance that should matter is between the talented and the untalented,” Abdullah declared, underlining a greater emphasis on merit rather than identity. He concluded by advocating for a future where children’s progress relies solely on talent, stating, “If someone passes the exam or plays football well, their religion should be irrelevant.”
