'Undermines Woman's Dignity' : Supreme Court Bar Association Condemns Bihar CM Nitish Kumar's Act Of Pulling Down Woman's Hijab

The Supreme Court Bar Association has strongly condemned the conduct of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for allegedly forcibly pulling down the hijab of a woman doctor during a public ceremony in Patna earlier this month, terming the act a grave assault on a woman's dignity, autonomy and constitutional rights.

In a resolution dated December 20, 2025, the President and Executive Committee of the SCBA expressed their “strongest condemnation” of the incident, which reportedly took place on December 15, 2025, during an official function. The Bar body said it was deeply disturbing that a person occupying such a high constitutional office would attempt to demean the dignity and autonomy of a woman in a public setting.

The SCBA observed that forcibly pulling down a woman's headscarf not only violates her personal dignity but also infringes her autonomy, agency and religious freedom. It described the incident as reflective of a “depraving attitude against women in general” and emphasised that such conduct strikes at the core values protected by the Constitution.

The resolution further condemned what it described as “vile and derogatory comments” made by Union Minister Giriraj Singh and Uttar Pradesh Minister Sanjay Nishad, stating that such remarks undermine the dignity of women and reinforce discriminatory attitudes.

Calling the episode an affront to the principles of equality and non-discrimination enshrined in the Constitution of India, the SCBA demanded an unconditional apology from those responsible. The Bar Association reiterated its commitment to the protection of individual rights, dignity of women and the rule of law.

The resolution was issued under the signature of SCBA Honorary Secretary Pragya Baghel, following deliberations by the Association's President and Executive Committee.