Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar triggered a political storm on Monday, December 15, after a video surfaced showing him pulling down the niqab worn by a Muslim AYUSH doctor during an official appointment letter distribution ceremony in Patna. The incident has drawn sharp reactions from Opposition parties, which questioned the Janata Dal (United) leader’s conduct and renewed attacks on what they described as his deteriorating mental health.
The video was shared on X by the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and the Bihar Congress. The incident took place at ‘Samvad’, the chief minister’s secretariat.
Sharing the purported clip, the RJD questioned Kumar’s mental condition and alleged ideological influence.
“What has happened to Nitish ji? His mental state has now reached an utterly pitiable condition, or has Nitish Babu become 100% Sanghi now?” the party wrote on X.
यह क्या हो गया है नीतीश जी को?
मानसिक स्थिति बिल्कुल ही अब दयनीय स्थिति में पहुंच चुकी है या नीतीश बाबू अब 100% संघी हो चुके हैं?@yadavtejashwi #RJD #bihar #TejashwiYadav pic.twitter.com/vRyqUaKhwm— Rashtriya Janata Dal (@RJDforIndia) December 15, 2025
Nitish Kumar’s Growing Health Concerns
The incident has added to a growing list of incidents cited by Opposition parties as evidence of what they describe as erratic and unstable public behaviour by the chief minister. Over the past several months, Nitish has faced repeated scrutiny over his conduct at public events, with critics questioning his ability to govern the state.
When Nitish Kumar Continuously Greeted PM Modi With Folded Hands
In October, Kumar attended a skill convocation ceremony for Industrial Training Institute (ITI) toppers from across the country under the Kaushal Deekshant Samaroh 2025 initiative. Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented certificates to the students at the event.
However, the chief minister drew attention when he sat with his hands folded for what appeared to be nearly a minute while another leader read out programme details. During this time, he slightly shook his hands, looked sideways briefly, and smiled at one point. Opposition parties, including RJD and Congress, raised questions about the CM’s health.
When Nitish Kumar Was Caught Laughing During National Anthem
In March, Nitish Kumar was seen laughing and talking during the national anthem at the inauguration of the Sepaktakraw World Cup at Patna’s Pataliputra Sports Complex.
According to reports, the chief minister was captured on camera conversing with an IAS officer and Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, Deepak Kumar, who was standing beside him on stage. Kumar was also seen tapping the officer on the shoulder to draw his attention.
At one point, smiling broadly, he folded his hands in a namaskar towards someone in the audience while the anthem was being played.
Reacting to the visuals, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav shared the video on X and accused Kumar of insulting both the state and the nation.
“At least please do not insult the national anthem, Hon’ble Chief Minister. You insult youth, students, women, and elderly people every day. Sometimes they clap on Mahatma Gandhi’s martyrdom day and mock his martyrdom, and sometimes they clap on the national anthem!” Yadav wrote.
कम से कम कृपया राष्ट्र गान का तो अपमान मत करिए मा॰ मुख्यमंत्री जी।
युवा, छात्र, महिला और बुजुर्गों को तो आप प्रतिदिन अपमानित करते ही है।
कभी महात्मा गांधी जी के शहादत दिवस पर ताली बजा उनकी शहादत का मखौल उड़ाते है तो कभी राष्ट्रगान का!
PS: आपको याद दिला दें कि आप एक बड़े प्रदेश… pic.twitter.com/rFDXcGxRdV
— Tejashwi Yadav (@yadavtejashwi) March 20, 2025
When Nitish Kumar Was Seen Clapping on Martyrs’ Day
Earlier this year, in January, Kumar found himself at the centre of another controversy during a solemn tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on Martyrs’ Day at Gandhi Maidan in Patna.
After paying floral tributes to the statue of the Father of the Nation, Kumar unexpectedly began clapping. The moment was caught on camera and quickly went viral on social media. Assembly Speaker Nand Kishore Yadav, standing next to him, was seen subtly signalling him to stop. Realising his mistake, Kumar immediately ceased clapping.
Bro is clapping on Mahatma Gandhi’s death anniversary 💨 💨 pic.twitter.com/DvqTrp0Gdz
— Prayag (@theprayagtiwari) January 30, 2025
Electoral slip-up: ‘More than 4,000 seats’
When Nitish Kumar Said NDA Will Win
In 2024, the chief minister also made a perplexing claim during an NDA rally in Bihar’s Nawada.
In a viral clip, Kumar was heard predicting that the National Democratic Alliance would win “more than 4,000 seats” in the elections. He initially fumbled with “char lakh” (four lakh) before correcting himself to say “char hazaar se bhi zyada” (more than 4,000), turning towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was seated nearby.
Bro is clapping on Mahatma Gandhi’s death anniversary 💨 💨 pic.twitter.com/DvqTrp0Gdz
— Prayag (@theprayagtiwari) January 30, 2025
When Nitish Kumar
In May 2025, Nitish grabbed attention during an appointment letter distribution ceremony where he placed a welcome plant on the head of Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) S Siddhartha.
#WATCH | Bihar CM Nitish Kumar playfully places a plant on the head of ACS Education and LN Mishra Institute for Social and Economic Change Director Dr. S. Siddharth at an event in Patna. pic.twitter.com/mzvEC3wcwn
— ANI (@ANI) May 26, 2025
The people attending the event started laughing after seeing the incident. People, including opposition parties,s questioned the mental health of the Bihar CM.
Zubair Amin is a Senior Journalist at NewsX with over seven years of experience in reporting and editorial work. He has written for leading national and international publications, including Foreign Policy Magazine, Al Jazeera, The Economic Times, The Indian Express, The Wire, Article 14, Mongabay, News9, among others. His primary focus is on international affairs, with a strong interest in US politics and policy. He also writes on West Asia, Indian polity, and constitutional issues. Zubair tweets at zubaiyr.amin
