16 December,2025 03:59 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Zaira Wasim
Former Bollywood actress Zaira Wasim, best known for her role in Aamir Khan's Dangal, has criticised Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar following a video of him from a government event in Patna went viral on the internet. In the clip, he is seen pulling down a woman doctor's niqab while presenting her with a certificate, an act that has triggered outrage from political leaders, public figures and the general public alike.
Reacting to the video, Zaira Wasim took to X (formerly known as Twitter) and said that the incident was deeply disturbing. Penning a note, she wrote, "A woman's dignity and modesty are not props to toy with. Least of all on a public stage."
She also stated that the Bihar CM owes the woman doctor an "unconditional apology." He stated. "As a Muslim woman, watching another woman's niqab being pulled at so casually, accompanied by that nonchalant smile, was so infuriating. Power does not grant permission to violate boundaries. NitishKumar owes that woman an unconditional apology."
For the unversed, Zaira quit the Hindi film industry in 2019, citing conflicts between her work and her faith. However, she has often spoken about issues related to dignity, religion and personal choice. Earlier in October this year, she announced her marriage without revealing many details.
The incident reportedly occurred on Monday during an official state function where the CM was distributing certificates to AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy) doctors.
In the video, the 74-year-old leader is seen gesturing to a woman doctor to remove her hijab while presenting her with a certificate. Before she could respond, Kumar reached out and pulled the niqab down from her face.
The JD(U) leader's act has also attracted political reactions. The Congress described Kumar's actions as "shameless" while accusing him of disrespecting women in a public setting. On the other hand, the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) questioned the CM's conduct and judgment. Some politicians also raised concerns over his behaviour at events. Meanwhile, the Bihar government is yet to issue an official statement or clarification regarding the viral video.
