A brief gesture by Bihar CM Nitish Kumar during a job ceremony triggers opposition backlash and political debate over propriety and sensitivity.

A brief moment at a government job appointment ceremony in Bihar has ignited a political controversy after Chief Minister Nitish Kumar was seen touching a woman’s niqab while posing for a photograph. The incident took place at the Chief Minister’s office complex and quickly spread across social media, drawing sharp and divided reactions.

Opposition parties, including the Congress and RJD, criticised the act as inappropriate and disrespectful, demanding an explanation and accountability from the Chief Minister. They argued that public representatives must be especially sensitive to personal and religious boundaries, particularly during official events.

Leaders aligned with the ruling side offered a different interpretation, calling the gesture harmless and describing it as a paternal attempt to ensure the recipient’s face was visible for official records. The Minority Affairs Minister defended the Chief Minister, urging critics not to politicise the moment.

Neither the woman involved nor the Chief Minister’s office has issued a formal statement so far. The episode has once again highlighted how symbolic gestures can quickly turn into political flashpoints in Bihar’s charged atmosphere. For public officials, the incident serves as a reminder that even small actions can carry large social and political consequences.