Patna: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar declined to wear a skullcap offered to him at a function organized by the Bihar State Madrasa Education Board. The incident, captured on video, has triggered debate because it comes twelve years after Kumar criticized Narendra Modi for refusing a similar gesture in Gujarat.
The event was held in Patna where the Chief Minister was invited to address madrasa teachers and administrators. When the organizers presented him with a cap as part of a customary welcome, Kumar folded his hands and politely refused. The clip spread across social media and drew immediate comparisons with his past remarks.
In 2013, Kumar had sharply targeted Modi during the campaign for the 2014 general elections. He had described the refusal to accept a skullcap as an insult to Muslims. At that time, Kumar had projected himself as a leader sensitive to minority concerns. His refusal now has left political observers questioning the consistency of his stance.
Opposition parties reacted swiftly. Leaders from the Rashtriya Janata Dal accused Kumar of double standards and claimed he was trying to align himself with the Bharatiya Janata Party after his recent political maneuvers. Social media users pointed out the irony of the situation, highlighting how Kumar’s own words from the past have returned to haunt him.
Supporters of the Chief Minister, however, defended the act. They argued that religious symbols should not be imposed on political figures and that Kumar’s refusal was not meant as disrespect. They also pointed out that he attended the event, addressed the gathering, and spoke about strengthening madrasa education in the state.
The skullcap issue has long been symbolic in Indian politics. In 2011, Modi’s refusal to wear one during a public event became a flashpoint in national debate. Kumar had at the time used it to distance himself from Modi. The latest episode has revived that memory and placed Kumar in the same position he once criticized.
The controversy comes at a time when Bihar politics is in flux. With alliances shifting and minority votes seen as decisive, the Chief Minister’s action is likely to have an impact on his image among Muslims in the state. Political analysts believe the refusal will be used by his rivals in the upcoming campaigns to question his credibility.
