Lucknow,

20 Dec (HS): Wading into the Nitish Kumar 'naqab' issue, BSP supremo Mayawati

expressed worry on Saturday over Bihar's chief minister recently removing a

veil from a woman doctor's face, saying the JD-U top leadership should show

sorrow and make efforts to settle the highly contested matter. The former Chief

Minister of Uttar Pradesh also expressed worry over the contentious police

parade event in Bahraich, which she regarded as a failure of legislative

sessions in both the state and Parliament.

Mayawati

stated in a Hindi post on X that the 'naqqab' situation was terrible and

unpleasant, and that it had continued to rise owing to additional remarks made

by ministers. The event, captured on camera and widely distributed, occurred on

Monday at the chief minister's headquarters in Patna, when Ayush physicians

gathered to collect their letters of appointment. When

the woman approached for her letter, Kumar saw her 'naqab', asked what it was,

and then removed the veil, prompting opposition parties to seek an unequivocal

apology from the chief minister.

Mayawati

stated that the issue, which concerns women's safety and dignity, should have

been handled through the chief minister's direct engagement. It would be

preferable if the chief minister saw the situation in the correct light,

expressed contrition, and made an attempt to put an end to this severely

dividing debate, she added. Referring to Uttar Pradesh, Mayawati stated that

the Bahraich district police, who were chastised for breaking the laws by

saluting a religious preacher during a police parade, sparked a significant

scandal, putting the state administration in hot water.

Police

parades and salutes have their own traditions, discipline, and sanctity that

should not be interfered with, she said, adding that the state police chief's

request for an explanation from the district police chief was a good beginning.

People are now waiting for action, she added, pushing the state government to

treat the issue seriously to avoid a repetition. Mayawati also criticized the

Uttar Pradesh Assembly's short Winter Session, which began on December 19,

claiming that, like past sessions, it was dominated by discussions between the

ruling party and the opposition rather than topics of public interest and

welfare. She stated that the government should have taken more seriously issues

such as farmer fertilizer shortages and other public welfare problems.

The

BSP president also criticized the Winter Session of Parliament, which ended on

Friday, claiming that it failed to address important national concerns

including as acute air pollution in Delhi. The entire country was expecting for

debates on pressing national issues that would have provided some glimmer of

optimism, but this did not occur, which is disappointing, she added. Mayawati

also voiced alarm over Bangladesh's fast worsening situation and what she

described as an increase in anti-Indian actions, comparable to Nepal. She asked

the Centre to take note of changes and respond with a long-term policy

strategy. Bangladesh has been on fire this week following the assassination of

Sharif Osman Hadi, a major young leader of the July 2024 Uprising, which

sparked violent demonstrations and burning in strife-torn neighboring nation.

Hindusthan Samachar / Abhishek Awasthi