.Calling autumn by its name is not betrayal of the garden
We condemn in the strongest possible terms the incident attributed to the Chief Minister of Bihar, Nitish Kumar, in which it is alleged that he touched and removed the veil of a Muslim woman doctor. If this incident is true, it is not merely an act of carelessness; it constitutes a misuse of authority, an insult to a woman’s dignity, and a blatant violation of constitutional values.
The office of the Chief Minister symbolizes the dignity of the state and its civilizational conscience. A person holding this position is expected to be the guardian of every citizen’s dignity, personal freedom, and religious identity—especially of women and minorities. Interfering with a woman’s clothing or veil, particularly in a situation where the balance of power makes refusal difficult, is shameful and utterly unacceptable.
This act is even more reprehensible because the affected woman is a doctor—a profession that demands service, responsibility, and respect. Yet, if a Muslim woman is publicly targeted over her religious and personal identity, it amounts to an assault on the dignity of Muslim women and fuels social inequality.
Democracy is not merely the act of casting a vote; it is a commitment to civilizational awareness, constitutional ethics, and respect for human dignity. When a person holding power intrudes upon a woman’s personal boundaries—especially when that woman belongs to a respected profession such as medicine—it ceases to be an individual act and becomes a question mark over the entire system of values.
The incident attributed to the Chief Minister of Bihar, in which a Muslim woman doctor’s veil was touched, is condemnable at every level if it is true. A woman’s attire—her veil or her covering—is a matter of personal choice, religious freedom, and a constitutional right. No office-holder has the authority to use power to challenge a woman’s honor, identity, or choice.
This incident reminds us how delicate the distance is between power and civility. A state office demands dignity, not physical intrusion; it calls for guidance, not interference. When religious identity is involved, sensitivity becomes even more crucial. The Constitution of India guarantees religious freedom, personal dignity, and equality—and these guarantees extend fully to the veil and identity of Muslim women.
It is also deeply unfortunate that decisions about Muslim women are often pronounced without their consent. Whether it is a veil or a hijab, it is not coercion if a woman chooses it herself. True progress does not come from stripping a woman of her identity, but from respecting her decisions.
At this moment, we need moral clarity more than emotional noise. State leadership is expected to set an example, not to inflame differences. If a mistake has occurred, acknowledgment, apology, and the formulation of clear guidelines for the future—this is the democratic way.
In conclusion, this editorial is not directed against a single individual, but in defense of a principle:
A woman’s dignity is non-negotiable.
And the true test of power lies in protecting the dignity of the vulnerable, not in laying hands upon it.
We demand from the Chief Minister that:
He issue an unconditional apology for this incident;
He clearly state that holding a state office does not justify interference in a citizen’s personal freedom;
He issue a clear code of conduct to safeguard women’s dignity and religious freedom.
Silence or justification only deepens the wound. In a democracy, the dignity of leadership is not diminished by an apology—it is enhanced by it. If this act is not unequivocally condemned today, such behavior may become normalized tomorrow—and that is the greatest danger for any civilized society.
We state unequivocally:
There can be no compromise on a woman’s sanctity, her consent, and her identity.
And any power that violates this principle is not only condemnable, but also accountable.
