Hyderabad: Dr. Asma Zehra, a founding member of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) and President of the All India Muslim Women Association (AIMWA), has strongly condemned an alleged incident involving Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, describing it as deeply objectionable and disrespectful.

In a statement issued here, Dr. Zehra referred to an incident in which the Chief Minister was allegedly seen attempting to remove the niqab of a Muslim woman doctor on a public stage. She termed the act a serious affront to the dignity and honour of the woman concerned and said it had caused widespread hurt among Muslim women across the country.

Dr. Zehra stated that the alleged incident reflected a lack of respect for Muslim women, their personal choices, and their sense of modesty. She demanded that the Chief Minister issue a public apology, particularly to the woman doctor involved. She warned that, in the absence of an apology, Muslim women would be compelled to raise the matter before appropriate authorities.

She also appealed to leaders of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) and ministers who are part of the Nitish Kumar-led government to use their political influence to ensure that an apology is issued.

According to Dr. Zehra, the incident has deeply hurt the sentiments of Muslim women across India. She further urged secular political parties, particularly AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi, to take serious note of the matter to ensure that no public functionary in the future engages in conduct that could be perceived as humiliating or disrespectful towards Muslim women.