NEW DELHI: Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar on Monday triggered a controversy after he pulled the hijab of a woman doctor during an appointment letter distribution programme.A video shared by the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) on X shows Nitish on stage alongside deputy chief minister Samrat Choudhary and health minister Mangal Pandey.The incident took place at a programme held at the chief minister’s residence, where appointment letters were being distributed to newly recruited AYUSH doctors.When it was the turn of Nusrat Parveen, who had arrived with her face covered with a hijab, Nitish frowned and exclaimed, “What is this?”Standing on a raised platform, Nitish then bent down and pulled the hijab down. The visibly flustered appointee was soon pulled aside by an official present at the event, while d CM Samrat Choudhary, standing beside Kumar, was seen tugging at his sleeve in an apparent attempt to restrain him.The incident drew sharp reactions from the opposition, with questions raised about Nitish Kumar’s conduct and mental health.Sharing the video on X, the RJD wrote, “What has happened to Nitish Ji? Has his mental state completely deteriorated, or has Nitish Babu now become a 100 per cent member of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh?”Reacting to the incident, RJD MP Manoj Jha said the visuals were unsettling and raised serious concerns. “I have seen the visuals and they were unsettling. The Deputy CM even tried to stop him. It should be a matter of concern. As someone who has grown up in Bihar, I am worried that such visuals do not give a good message and raise several doubts,” Jha said.The Congress also attacked the Bihar chief minister, calling the act “vile.”“This is Bihar’s chief minister Nitish Kumar. Look at his shamelessness—a female doctor had come to collect her appointment letter, and Nitish Kumar pulled off her hijab. A man occupying the highest position in Bihar is openly indulging in such a vile act,” the party said in a post on X.“Nitish Kumar should immediately resign for this disgusting behaviour. This vileness is unforgivable,” it added.Congress MP Sukhdeo Bhagat also condemned the incident, accusing the chief minister of violating traditions and faith.“This does not seem appropriate from any angle. Treating a woman like this is condemnable,” Bhagat said.Shiv Sena MP Priyanka Chaturvedi also criticised the act, saying no one should be allowed to publicly humiliate an adult woman.“It is her dignity and knowledge of being an equal that makes her stand there to receive the acknowledgement she deserves. No father figure, CM, PM, brother or husband should be allowed to publicly humiliate an adult, educated woman for her choice of dress,” she wrote on X.According to the Chief Minister’s Office, the appointees included 685 Ayurveda doctors, 393 homeopaths and 205 practitioners of the Unani system of medicine.Of them, 10 appointees received their job letters in person from Kumar, while the rest were issued appointment letters online.