Nitish Kumar 'naqab' controversy: Pakistan-based gangster threatens Bihar Chief Minister, says 'don't say later warning was not given'

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has reportedly received threat from a Pakistan-based man over the hijab controversy, reports TOI's Faryal Rumi and Manoj Chaurasia. A video showing Nitish Kumar pulling down the hijab of a Muslim woman at a government function triggered a huge political row with the opposition Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) called the Chief Minister a "sanghi". Nitish Kumar pulled the 'naqab' (veil) off the face of the newly-recruited AYUSH doctor while she was receiving her letter of appointment.

After Nitish Kumar reportedly received a threat from Pakistan, Patna police have swung into swift action and have registered a case with the cyber police station. Cops have also asked Facebook's parent company Meta to block the account used to upload the video. Inspector general of police (Patna) Jitendra Rana told TOI. an email was sent to Meta to block the account and an FIR registered against the profile at the Cyber police station in Patna.

“Details have been sought from Meta about the profile, which shared the video content on Instagram. Further investigation is underway to identify the uploader and people who shared it,” Rana told TOI.


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Pakistan-based gangster threatens Nitish Kumar

The Police have identified the Pakistan-based gangster and Instagram user as "Shahzad Bhatti". He released a video warning Nitish Kumar of dire consequences over the hijab controversy. “Everyone must have seen what happened in Bihar…. That person still has time to apologise to that girl… Don't say later that a warning was not given,” Bhatti said in the video.

Bihar DGP Vinay Kumar said authorities immediately swung into action and the case was handed over to Patna IG for a thorough probe. Patna Cyber DSP Nitish Chandra Dharia said they have identified the Instagram ID and are investigating the threatening video message. “Further action will be taken based on our investigation,” he said.

Union Minister defends Nitish Kumar

Union minister Giriraj Singh on Thursday waded into the Nitish Kumar 'naqab' controversy and came in support of Bihar CM, saying it is up to the woman to refuse appointment to the government job or "go to hell".

Singh defended Nitish Kumar saying he has "not done anything wrong". "If someone is going to collect an appointment letter, should they not show their face? Is this some Islamic country? Nitish Kumar acted as a guardian," he argued.

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"If you are going to get a passport, do you not show your face? When you go to the airport, do you not show your face? People talk about Pakistan and Englishtan, but this is India. In India, the rule of law prevails," Singh said and added that Kumar did the right thing.

On reports that the woman has refused to take up the job following the incident, he said, "Whether she refuses the job or goes to hell, that's her choice (Woh refuse kare ya jahannum mein jaye)."

Nitish Kumar naqab controversy

A row erupted on December 15 when the CM was distributing appointment letters to newly recruited AYUSH doctors. A video emerged, showing the CM handing a letter to Dr Nusrat Parveen, and later lowering a veil covering her face for everyone to see the achiever’s face. The ruling NDA called the gesture "“affection shown by a father towards a daughter”. However, the incident drew criticism from opposition parties like RJD and Congress and activists elsewhere in the country.

(With PTI and TOI inputs)