Javed Akhtar condemns Nitish Kumar for removing a doctor’s hijab, while reiterating his stance on women and face covering.

On social media, a video that featured seasoned screenwriter and lyricist Javed Akhtar challenging the justification for women’s hijab wearing has reappeared. Days after Nitish Kumar, the chief minister of Bihar, was spotted removing a woman’s hijab during a public gathering, the video went viral. In the midst of the rekindled discussion, Javed clarified on Thursday that he strongly disagrees with the chief minister’s actions, even though he still has his long-held opinions on the matter.

An old video by Javed Akhtar becomes viral

The video in question is from the third SOA Literary Festival, where Javed answered a question regarding whether a woman’s strength is diminished when she covers her face. He questioned whether concealing one’s face conveys a sense of humiliation and questioned the rationale behind women donning the hijab.

“You mentioned that you were brought up by women who never wore burqas,” Javed was asked at the November event. In your opinion, they were all powerful women. However, how does hiding your identity diminish your strength as a woman? In response, he stated that both men and women should dress modestly, but he questioned the necessity of women hiding their faces.

Javed responded to the query by saying, “No, it’s not about being a powerful woman…I can see where you are coming from. Why should your face cause you shame? Why ought you to be? In my opinion, both men and women who wear skimpy clothing don’t appear respectable. It is not a good idea for a man to show up to work or school wearing shorts or a sleeveless shirt. He ought to dress nicely. Additionally, a woman ought to dress appropriately.

Also read : Neha Kakkar ‘Lollypop Candy Shop’ Faces Online Criticism

Javed went on to say that wearing a burqa is frequently a result of social pressure rather than personal preference. If a woman feels she is covering her face on her own initiative, he argued, she is “brainwashed.” However, why does she hide her face? Why is her face covered? What about it is so disgusting, vulgar, and undignified? Why? Why? Peer pressure is what this is. She is brainwashed if she is given an option. She is brainwashed if she claims to be working independently. because she is aware that some of her peers will value this action. Why would anyone cover their face if you were to leave her? Does she despise her appearance? Does she feel self-conscious about her face? What? “Why?” he asked.

The tweet from Javed Akhtar regarding the Nitish Kumar incident

Javed took to X to explain his position in the wake of the Bihar chief minister’s issue. “Everyone who knows me even in the most cursory manner knows how much I am against the traditional concept of Parda, but it doesn’t mean that by any stretch of imagination I can accept what Mr. Nitish Kumar has done to a Muslim lady doctor,” he wrote in a tweet on Thursday. I vehemently denounce it. The woman deserves an unqualified apologies from Mr. Nitish Kumar.

Reactions from internet users to Javed Akhtar’s video

Online, the resurrected clip also sparked a flurry of responses. The video received mixed but mostly positive feedback after being widely shared on Reddit. “At last, some logical answer,” remarked one user. People who have been brainwashed don’t think they are brainwashed. Another commented, “Excellently explained! Let’s give kids those options after providing them with a free environment to grow up in. The majority of the time, common sense will win out. “I adore Javed Akhtar; his concepts are exquisite,” a third person added. He is attempting to enlighten both younger and older generations who are mired in antiquated and pointless notions.

The latest occurrence in Bihar involving a recently appointed AYUSH doctor prompted the renewed topic. Nitish Kumar removed Nusrat Parveen’s hijab as she walked up to accept her appointment letter during a public appointment ceremony held at Samvad, the chief minister’s secretariat. According to the CMO, more than 1,000 AYUSH physicians were appointed during the event, including 685 Ayurvedic physicians, 393 Homeopathic physicians, and 205 Unani practitioners.

The 75-year-old chief minister responded to Parveen’s face-covered arrival to the podium by asking, “What is this?” before lowering her veil. An official swiftly led the obviously shaken doctor away, and Deputy CM Samrat Choudhary was observed pulling at Nitish Kumar’s sleeve in an attempt to control him.