Suail Khan
SRINAGAR, Dec 17 : Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday equated Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s act of pulling down a Muslim woman’s face veil with a past controversy involving Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti, describing both as manifestations of a “regressive mindset” and calling the latest episode “shameful.”
Addressing reporters here as per Kashmir Convener, CM Omar asserted that such incidents are not isolated. He recalled an alleged episode from a previous election in which, he claimed, a woman voter’s burqa was removed inside a polling station at Mufti’s behest.
“We have seen this before,” Omar stated. “People may have forgotten how Mehbooba Mufti had a legitimate voter’s burqa removed inside a polling booth during my election. This is a continuation of the same mindset. What happened then was unfortunate, and this incident is equally shameful.”
He emphasised that publicly humiliating a woman is indefensible. Regarding Mr. Kumar’s actions at a public function in Bihar, CM Omar suggested that had the Bihar Chief Minister been unwilling to personally hand over an appointment letter, he should have stepped aside rather than subject the woman to embarrassment.
“Gradually, the reality of Nitish Kumar, who was once seen as a secular and sensible leader, is being exposed,” Omar added.
The incident involving Kumar has sparked widespread condemnation from political parties and public figures across Jammu and Kashmir.
Earlier, PDP president Mehbooba Mufti expressed shock, questioning in a post on X whether the act was due to “old age or the normalisation of humiliating Muslims publicly.” She called for Kumar’s resignation, stating that the passive reaction of his entourage was “even more unsettling.”
Ruling National Conference leader and Minister Sakina Ittoo termed the act “deeply disturbing and indefensible,” arguing it violated a woman’s “dignity, faith, and personal autonomy.”
In a written letter, Imran Ansari, general secretary of the J&K Peoples Conference, called the action “deeply hurtful” and “in clear violation of the democratic and constitutional values of India.”
Awami Ittehad Party spokesperson Inam Un Nabi said the behaviour “strips the office of Chief Minister of any moral credibility left,” labelling it “disgraceful, arrogant and shockingly shameless.”
Prominent voices also joined the criticism. Mufti’s daughter, Iltija Mufti, stated that “power does not give anyone the authority to humiliate.” Former Bollywood actor Zaira Wasim said watching the incident was “infuriating,” adding that “a woman’s dignity and modesty are not props to toy with” and that Mr. Kumar owed the woman an unconditional apology.
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