Nitish Kumar Hijab Row (Credit: OpenAI)
Pakistan has officially reacted to the hijab controversy involving Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. The response came after a video surfaced showing a Muslim woman’s hijab being pulled during a public interaction. Islamabad treated the incident as more than a local political matter. Pakistani officials linked it to a broader pattern of alleged discrimination. The issue was raised at the foreign ministry level. This marked a significant escalation. Pakistan framed the episode as a human rights concern.
Pakistan’s Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi issued a detailed statement. He described the incident as deeply disturbing. He said forcibly removing a Muslim woman’s hijab by a senior political leader was unacceptable. Andrabi also criticised the public mockery that followed the incident. According to him, such actions normalise disrespect toward Muslim women. The statement said this behaviour reflects growing Islamophobia in India. Pakistan demanded accountability and restraint.
The Pakistani statement also criticised comments made by an Uttar Pradesh minister. The remarks were seen as defending Nitish Kumar. Pakistan said such statements worsened the situation. It accused Indian leaders of trivialising a sensitive religious issue. According to Islamabad, public jokes about the incident showed disregard for minority dignity. The criticism expanded the controversy beyond Bihar. It brought multiple Indian leaders into focus. This widened the diplomatic narrative.
Pakistan urged the Indian government to recognise the seriousness of the incident. It called for protection of minority rights. The statement stressed respect for religious freedom. It also highlighted the need to safeguard human dignity. Pakistan said responsible stakeholders must act. It framed the appeal as a moral obligation. Islamabad positioned itself as a defender of Muslim rights. The appeal added pressure at the international level.
The controversy took a sharper turn after reports of a threat video emerged. The video allegedly originated from Pakistan. It reportedly targeted Nitish Kumar over the hijab incident. Indian authorities have not yet verified the source. However, the matter was taken seriously. The case added a security angle to the controversy. It shifted focus from politics to law enforcement.
Bihar’s Director General of Police Vinay Kumar confirmed that police had taken cognisance of the threat. He said the matter was handed over for detailed investigation. The Patna Inspector General was tasked with the probe. Officials are analysing social media inputs. Cyber teams are tracking the video’s origin. Authorities said no conclusions would be drawn without verification. Security around the issue has been tightened.
The hijab controversy has now crossed borders. What began as a domestic political issue has entered diplomatic space. It has added strain to already tense India-Pakistan relations. The episode also highlights how internal incidents attract global attention. Political rhetoric, religion, and diplomacy are intersecting here. The coming days may bring further statements. For now, the issue remains sensitive. Both governments are being closely watched.
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