Archive · 18 Dec 2025
Javed Akhtar Condemns Nitish Kumar's Hijab Incident
Javed Akhtar, a famous Indian poet, recently spoke at a literary festival and criticized the burqa, calling it peer pressure.
He said that women should not be ashamed of their faces and that both men and women should dress decently.
His comments became very popular on the internet.
Later, Javed Akhtar strongly condemned a video where Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar pulled down a Muslim woman's hijab.
Akhtar said that no personal belief can justify touching a woman without her consent or publicly humiliating her.
He demanded an apology from Nitish Kumar.
The Indian National Congress also reacted sharply, calling Nitish Kumar's actions shameless and demanding his resignation.
Javed Akhtar criticized the burqa, calling it peer pressure during the SOA Literary Festival 2025.
He questioned why women should be ashamed of their faces and advocated for decent dressing for both men and women.
Akhtar strongly condemned Nitish Kumar for pulling down a Muslim woman's hijab, emphasizing the importance of consent and respect.
The Indian National Congress reacted sharply, calling Nitish Kumar's actions shameless and demanding his resignation.
Akhtar's remarks went viral, especially in the context of the recent controversy involving Nitish Kumar's actions.
- Who
- Javed Akhtar, Nitish Kumar, a Muslim woman doctor
- What
- Javed Akhtar condemned Nitish Kumar for pulling down a Muslim woman's hijab, emphasizing the importance of consent and respect.
- When
- During the SOA Literary Festival 2025 in November and the hijab incident in December 2025
- Where
- At the SOA Literary Festival in India and a government event in Patna, Bihar
- Why
- To advocate for women's rights and consent, and to condemn Nitish Kumar's actions
Javed Akhtar's Stance
Nitish Kumar's Actions
Consent and Respect
Javed Akhtar's Stance
Javed Akhtar strongly condemned Nitish Kumar's actions, stating that no personal belief justifies touching a woman without her consent or publicly humiliating her.
Nitish Kumar's Actions
Nitish Kumar's actions in pulling down the hijab were seen as disrespectful and a violation of the woman's consent.
Views on Hijab and Burqa
Javed Akhtar's Stance
Akhtar has long criticized the concept of parda and face coverings, believing that women should not feel the need to hide their faces and that strength has nothing to do with clothing.
Nitish Kumar's Actions
Nitish Kumar's actions were interpreted as imposing his personal beliefs on the woman, which was widely condemned.
- Person
- Javed Akhtar, Nitish Kumar
- Event
- SOA Literary Festival 2025, Nitish Kumar's hijab incident
- Controversy
- Nitish Kumar pulling down a Muslim woman's hijab
- Topic
- Hijab, burqa, consent, and respect
- Date
- November 2025, December 2025
- Reaction
- Congress demands Nitish Kumar's resignation
Sources
Javed Akhtar calls burqa ‘peer pressure,’ video goes viral amid Nitish Kumar row: ‘What is vulgar about a woman’s face?’
'I Condemn It In Very Strong Words': Javed Akhtar Demands Apology From Bihar CM Nitish Kumar For Pulling Down Doctor's Hijab In Patna
Javed Akhtar reacts to Nitish Kumar pulling down woman doctor’s hijab, demands apology
Nitish Kumar owes unconditional apology to the lady: Javed Akhtar on ‘naqab’ row
'I condemn it in very strong words': Javed Akhtar calls for unconditional apology from Nitish Kumar over hijab incident
नीतीश कुमार हिजाब कॉन्ट्रोवर्सी पर भड़के जावेद अख्तर, कहा- 'बिना शर्त उस महिला से माफी मांगे'
