Controversy Erupts Over Minister's Comments on Hijab Incident

A political storm has erupted following comments made by Uttar Pradesh Fisheries Minister Sanjay Nishad regarding an incident where Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar allegedly pulled a woman's hijab during an event. The controversy has led to demands for an apology from opposition parties, including Congress and the Samajwadi Party. Nishad defended his remarks, claiming they were misinterpreted and rooted in regional dialect differences. Meanwhile, legal actions have been initiated against both officials involved, and the situation continues to escalate as political leaders react to the unfolding events.

By Narendra Chaudhary Dec 18, 2025, 09:05 IST

Minister Sanjay Nishad Addresses Controversy

On Wednesday, Sanjay Nishad, the Fisheries Minister of Uttar Pradesh, responded to the uproar following Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's alleged defense of an incident where a woman's hijab was pulled during an event. The Congress and Samajwadi Party have demanded an unconditional apology from the minister. Congress has also insisted that if Nishad does not apologize for his reportedly shocking remarks, action should be taken against him.

Legal Action Initiated Against Officials

In the meantime, a member of the Samajwadi Party has filed a complaint with the Lucknow police against Minister Nishad and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. Following the backlash over his comments, Nishad clarified on Wednesday that his statements had been misrepresented. He stated, "My remarks were misconstrued, misunderstood, and lost their original meaning amidst the noise and translation."

Cultural Context of the Remarks

Highlighting linguistic diversity, Nishad explained that he hails from Gorakhpur and the Bhojpuri-speaking region, where communication styles vary significantly. He noted, "In Bhojpuri, advising people not to escalate issues and to exercise restraint is a common approach. I used the same style in Hindi, unaware it would become such a significant issue." He emphasized that just as speaking styles differ across regions like Haryana, Delhi, Maharashtra, or Tamil Nadu, so do dialects in North and Eastern Uttar Pradesh, which does not imply any intent to offend.

Clarification on the Hijab Incident

Nishad insisted that his comments were made in a light-hearted manner in his local Bhojpuri dialect, with no ill intent towards any woman, community, or religion. He clarified that the Bihar Chief Minister did not remove the woman's hijab but merely did so to verify the identity of the actual beneficiary of a government scheme, stating that it was the responsibility of officials to ensure proper arrangements before the event.

Further Complaints Filed

Additionally, Samajwadi Party spokesperson Sumaiya Rana lodged a complaint with the Lucknow police against both the Bihar Chief Minister and Minister Nishad. She expressed that the video clip of the hijab incident has caused significant outrage among women. Speaking to the media, she mentioned that as a hijab-wearing woman herself, she would not remain silent if faced with a similar situation. The complaint also highlighted Nishad's inappropriate remarks.

Police Response and Political Reactions

Sumaiya accused the police of delaying action, stating that initially, she was redirected from the Kaiserbagh police station to Gautampalli, but her complaint was eventually accepted, with police indicating that an FIR would be registered after an investigation. She warned that if no action is taken, the party would escalate its protests. Nishad has previously made similar 'outrageous comments,' which have drawn condemnation from Samajwadi Party leaders Akhilesh Yadav and Dimple Yadav. The Assistant Police Commissioner of Kaiserbagh, Ratnesh Singh, confirmed that an investigation is underway, and further actions will depend on its findings.

Political Fallout from the Incident

Uttar Pradesh Congress President Ajay Rai commented on the National Herald case, stating that such blatantly anti-women remarks reflect the mindset of the BJP and its allies. He reiterated the demand for an unconditional apology, warning that failure to do so would lead to calls for Nishad's dismissal. The political controversy ignited after Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar removed a Muslim woman's hijab during a government event in Patna, which was followed by Nishad's controversial defense of the act.