Patna: The political fallout from the viral hijab video involving Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar intensified on Wednesday, after a formal complaint was lodged at the Kaiserbagh Police Station in Lucknow seeking an FIR against the Chief Minister and Uttar Pradesh cabinet minister Sanjay Nishad.

The complaint was filed by Samajwadi Party leader Sumaiya Rana, who arrived at the police station accompanied by her lawyers, demanding strict legal action over what she termed an “inappropriate and humiliating” act by a constitutional authority.

The complaint pertains to a viral video from an official event in Bihar where appointment letters were being distributed to newly appointed AYUSH doctors. In the clip, Nitish Kumar is allegedly seen pulling a Muslim woman’s hijab, an act that has since sparked widespread outrage and condemnation across party lines.

Speaking to ANI, Rana said the incident set a “dangerous precedent,” warning that such behaviour from someone holding a constitutional position could embolden others.

“For a person holding a constitutional post to behave like this means he is encouraging his other workers to engage in similar acts,” she said.

Rana also flagged controversial remarks made by UP minister Sanjay Nishad while responding to the row. Quoting Nishad, she said he had attempted to trivialise the incident, remarks she described as deeply objectionable and inflammatory. Based on both the act and the comments, she said the complaint was filed seeking immediate legal action.

Advocate Misham Zaidi, who accompanied Rana, said the incident attracted serious penal provisions under the law.

“He has hurt the modesty of a woman. What Sanjay Nishad has done incites religious sentiments,” Zaidi said, adding that Section 153A applies to acts promoting enmity and disturbing public order.

He further stated that Section 354 would apply directly to Nitish Kumar for allegedly grabbing and pulling the hijab.

The incident has snowballed into a larger political flashpoint, with opposition parties accusing the ruling leadership of insensitivity, misuse of power, and normalising disrespect towards minority women, while demands grow for accountability and legal scrutiny.