Mumbai: Indian actress Rakhi Sawant has strongly reacted to an incident involving Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and a Muslim woman, calling it a clear case of Islamophobia. The incident occurred during a government event where the chief minister allegedly pulled down the woman’s hijab while presenting her with an award, leaving attendees visibly shocked.
Rakhi Sawant, who has recently been in the news for embracing Islam and performing Umrah, raised her voice in support of the affected woman.
In a video message shared on Instagram, she criticized Nitish Kumar and said that wearing the hijab is a religious obligation for Muslim women. She added that forcibly removing a woman’s hijab is disrespectful, unethical, and a violation of religious freedom.
Questioning the act, Rakhi Sawant asked whether anyone would tolerate it if a Hindu man’s traditional attire, such as a dhoti, were forcibly pulled off. She emphasized that respect for religious clothing and traditions is essential in all circumstances.
She further demanded that Nitish Kumar issue a public apology through a press conference and invite the affected woman to be present during the apology.
Rakhi Sawant’s bold stance has been widely praised on social media, with many users calling her fearless and courageous. Following the viral video of the incident, strong reactions have emerged worldwide, with critics terming it an open insult to Muslim religious sentiments.
The episode has once again sparked serious debate on social media over rising Islamophobia and the treatment of minorities in India.
