‘As a Muslim woman, watching it was infuriating”: Dangal actor Zaira Wasim on Nitish Kumar hijab row

A viral video from Patna has sparked outrage across political and social circles, with 'Dangal' (2016) star Zaira Wasim delivering one of the strongest condemnations yet against Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.

The video, which has been widely circulated on social media, shows Nitish Kumar during a government function pulling down the hijab of an AYUSH doctor while handing her a certificate. The moment — brief yet jarring — has ignited debates around power, consent, and respect for women in public spaces.

Reacting sharply, Zaira Wasim took to X and minced no words.

“A woman’s dignity and modesty are not props to toy with. Least of all on a public stage,” she wrote. The former actor, who quit Bollywood in 2019, citing conflicts with her faith, said watching the clip was deeply upsetting.

“As a Muslim woman, watching another woman’s niqab being pulled so casually, accompanied by that nonchalant smile, was infuriating,” Zaira said.

Driving home the political punch, she added: “Power does not grant permission to violate boundaries. @NitishKumar owes that woman an unconditional apology.”

The incident reportedly occurred during a state government event where the 74-year-old JD(U) leader was honouring doctors. In the clip, Kumar is seen gesturing for the woman to remove her hijab and then physically pulling it down before she could respond — exposing her mouth and chin.

The backlash has been swift. The Congress termed the act “shameless,” while the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) went a step further, questioning the Chief Minister’s mental fitness. Women’s rights activists and social media users have also slammed the incident as a glaring misuse of authority.

As political temperatures rise in Bihar, the controversy has now moved beyond a viral clip — becoming a larger conversation on consent, respect, and the optics of power in public life.