Bihar's Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has been facing much flak after the emergence of a video on social media where he can be seen trying to remove a Muslim woman's hijab (head scarf). The incident took place at a function in which Nitish was giving out appointment letters for AYUSH doctors. The latest to condemn the chief minister's act is screenwriter and lyricist Javed Akhtar. "Every one 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," Javed wrote in his post, vociferously criticising the act. He continued, "I condemn it in very strong words. Mr Nitish Kumar owes an unconditional apology to the lady," the screenwriter added.

Javed Akhtar is known for his social and political activism, especially his stances critical of certain religious practices in India and right-wing ideologies. He has often championed secularism, atheism, human rights, and social justice by speaking out against anything that tries to divide people on the basis of caste and religion.