Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah demands Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar apologize to a female doctor whose veil he controversially pulled during a government event in Patna. This incident has stirred significant debate across the nation.
The incident took place on Monday at the Bihar Secretariat during a ceremony for distributing appointment letters to AYUSH doctors. Kumar allegedly removed the doctor’s naqab while questioning, “What is this?” Abdullah criticized this behavior, asserting that there can be no justification for such a disrespectful action.
In a statement to the media, Abdullah conveyed, “Would you do such an act? I would not. The concerned doctor reportedly refused her appointment, showcasing the gravity of this situation. Nitish Kumar needs to extend an apology and encourage her to accept the job offer.”
The response from Union Minister and BJP leader Giriraj Singh attempted to defend Kumar, but Abdullah dismissed it as expected from the ruling party. He remarked, “If a Muslim leader had touched the veil of a Hindu woman in Haryana or Rajasthan, there would have been a different response. Since the woman here is Muslim, the BJP finds nothing wrong.” Abdullah emphasized that this issue transcends religion and revolves around respect and dignity for all individuals.
“How can anyone touch a woman’s clothing like this? Why did the Chief Minister feel the need to do so?” Abdullah pressed, urging Kumar to acknowledge his error and offer an apology.
Shifting focus to broader political matters, Abdullah addressed comments made by Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan. Chavan suggested that there was a total defeat in the aerial confrontation with Pakistan at the outset of Operation Sindoor. Abdullah clarified that this opinion is personal and should not reflect the official stance of the Congress party.
He added, “The Congress and other opposition parties stood firmly with our government and defence forces after the Pahalgam terror attack, showcasing unity in turbulent times.”
Abdullah appeared in Patna for the 11th edition of the India’s International Movement to Unite Nations (IIMUN) Role Model Series. During his address, he articulated his vision of the ‘idea of India’ while discussing Jammu and Kashmir’s historical choice to join India during Partition.
“Coming from a Muslim-majority state, Jammu and Kashmir could have aligned with Pakistan, but it chose India, highlighting a crucial aspect of our national identity. This choice reflects the idea of India that we must defend and sustain,” Abdullah asserted.
He acknowledged that while the concept of India may vary among individuals, the foundation of democracy ensures a platform for diverse debates, despite certain developments that intuitively concern him.
In light of recent discussions regarding medical admissions and sports selections based on religious identity, Abdullah critiqued this trend, stressing the importance of merit over religious affiliations. He referred to the ongoing debate surrounding the admission of 42 Muslim students in the first MBBS batch at Vaishno Devi Medical College and similar scrutiny faced by the J&K football team ahead of the Santosh Trophy.
“Balance should focus solely on talent,” he commented. “The future I envision for our youth is one founded on merit. In a fair society, success should derive from one’s abilities, not religious background.”
