UP Minister's Shameless Giggle Over Nitish's Hijab Yank – "What If He Touched Somewhere Else?" Ignites Outrage as UP Tops Women Crime Charts

New Delhi- The controversial statement by Uttar Pradesh Cabinet Minister Sanjay Nishad on Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's hijab-pulling incident has triggered a massive uproar on social media, where he justified the act while laughing and remarked, "They are also human, shouldn't make such a fuss... just touched the niqab, what if they touched somewhere else?"

As the leader of the Nishad Party and a key ally in Yogi Adityanath's BJP-led government, Nishad made these comments during an interview with a news channel, which many perceived as mocking women's dignity. The opposition has branded it a "vile mentality," especially given Uttar Pradesh's alarming record on crimes against women with 59,445 cases registered in 2024.

Uttar Pradesh consistently records the highest absolute number of registered cases of crimes against women in India, a trend that continued in 2024 according to available data from the National Commission for Women (NCW). 

Samajwadi Party's Sumaiya Rana has filed a police complaint against both Nitish Kumar and Sanjay Nishad at Kaiserganj station, invoking charges of hurting religious sentiments and insulting women's modesty. Amid escalating backlash, the minister issued a clarification, claiming his remarks were misrepresented.

Sumaiya Rana, speaking to the media, stated, "Such behavior from someone in a constitutional position means they are encouraging their subordinates to act similarly." Rana also highlighted the controversial remarks by UP Minister Sanjay Nishad. Accompanying lawyer Misham Zaidi emphasized the legal ramifications, saying, "He has insulted a woman's dignity. What Sanjay Nishad did incites religious sentiments." Zaidi added that Section 153A applies to acts promoting enmity and disrupting law and order, while Section 354 directly pertains to Nitish Kumar for allegedly grabbing and pulling the hijab.

Minister's Statement: Defense or Disgrace?

In the interview, Minister Nishad was seen smiling and laughing as he told the journalist, "Come on, they are human too, shouldn't hold on so tightly. Just touched the niqab and it's become such a big deal... what if they had touched somewhere else?" Critics have slammed this as "misogynistic" and reflective of a "lecherous mindset." In a later clarification, Nishad described it as a "light-hearted comment in Bhojpuri style" with no intent to offend any community or woman. Nevertheless, video clips of the interview are going viral on social media, where users like @Muslim_ITCell have called it an attempt to "normalize violence against women." The Aam Aadmi Party's official handle shared the clip, condemning it with the caption: "With this vile mentality, he's sitting as a minister in the BJP government, and it's the same Uttar Pradesh where the highest number of crimes against women occur."

Congress leader Supriya Shrinkhala posted: " 'Just removed the niqab and there's so much noise, what if they had poked a finger here or there' – this shameless talk is being said by UP government minister Sanjay Nishad, and the manner and that sly laugh with which he's saying it reveals his cheap, absurd, and anti-woman mindset."

Congress spokesperson Dr. Ragini Nayak remarked, "This person, who laughs shamelessly after such absurd comments, is UP government minister Sanjay Nishad – forget the country, society, or state, are the women in his own home safe??" RJD spokesperson Priyanka Bharti condemned the statement, writing, "Now I'm worried about the women in his household!"