"Regrettable that nation not protesting": SP MP Zia ur Rahman Barq on 'hijab' row

New Delhi [India], December 19 (ANI): Samajwadi Party MP Zia ur Rahman Barq on Friday termed Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's action to pull down the veil from a woman doctor's face as "unfortunate".
He said it is "regrettable" that the nation is not protesting against the Bihar CM, noting that Nitish Kumar has not even apologised for his actions.
"This incident is very unfortunate. It is regrettable that even after such an incident with a muslim woman, the nation is not protesting. He has not apologised, nor has any action been taken," Zia ur Rahman Barq said.
Earlier, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) national spokesperson Waris Pathan, describing the hijab and burqa as a symbol of women's honour, dignity and respect and "the crown on their heads," strongly criticised Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar
Pathan accused him of insulting women's dignity and constitutional rights.
Speaking to ANI on Thursday, Pathan demanded an unconditional apology from the Chief Minister, calling the incident an affront to women's modesty and religious freedom.
"Article 25 of the Constitution grants the right to practice religion. Article 19 guarantees freedom of choice; whoever wants to wear a burqa or hijab can wear it. Even the Supreme Court has said this. The actions of Nitish Kumar deserve the strongest condemnation. Even a father doesn't have the right to do so. This hijab, burqa, is a symbol of our women's honour, dignity, and respect. It's the crown on their heads. You insult them like this, and then you talk about women's respect? We have said that Nitish Kumar should apologise to all the women of the country. An unconditional apology. This is an outrageous incident, an insult to the modesty of a woman," he said.
His remarks come amid mounting criticism from opposition parties over a widely circulated video from a government event in Patna, where Bihar CM Nitish Kumar was seen pulling down the hijab of a woman while handing her a certificate.
The video, which has sparked outrage, shows the incident taking place during a ceremony at the Chief Minister's office where appointment letters were being distributed to newly recruited AYUSH doctors. Before she could respond, Kumar reached out and lowered the head covering, revealing the woman's mouth and chin. (ANI)