Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is once again in the news—but regrettably, not for his governance credentials or administrative record. Instead, a recent public interaction has triggered an avoidable controversy after he was seen adjusting, or pulling down, a minority woman’s hijab while handing over an employment certificate under his government’s job guarantee promise. The intent may not have been malicious, and age or absent-mindedness could well be factors. Yet in public life, perception often overwhelms intention. For a leader of Nitish Kumar’s stature and experience, such moments are no longer trivial slips; they become political liabilities. This episode is ironic precisely because Nitish Kumar has long cultivated an image of sobriety, restraint, and personal probity—qualities that once set him apart in Bihar’s rough-and-tumble politics. Unfortunately, this is not the first time in recent months that his public conduct has invited criticism. From awkward remarks at official events to visible irritation with bureaucrats and journalists, Nitish has increasingly appeared uncomfortable in the spotlight he once handled with ease. Each incident, taken individually, might be dismissed as a minor lapse. Together, they raise a larger and unavoidable question: is the Chief Minister exercising enough self-restraint in public life? To be fair, the speculation around his health—frequently amplified by political rivals and sections of the media—remains just that: speculation. There is little concrete evidence to suggest that Nitish Kumar is incapable of discharging his duties. In fact, his recent performance on the campaign trail tells a different story. Against expectations, he ran an effective and aggressive election campaign, stitching together alliances, energising cadres, and guiding his party to a respectable tally—just a few seats short of his ally, the BJP. That political acumen does not belong to a leader who is disengaged or incapacitated.
It is precisely this contrast that makes his recent public behaviour all the more puzzling. Nitish Kumar knows better. He understands the symbolism of gestures, especially in a socially sensitive and politically polarised environment. Any interaction involving minorities, women, or religious markers is bound to be scrutinised, sometimes unfairly, but scrutiny is the price of high office. When a Chief Minister falters, even momentarily, the opposition does not merely criticise—it weaponises. There is also a deeper irony at play. Nitish Kumar’s greatest political legacy remains his role in rescuing Bihar from the “jungle raj” era associated with RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav. Improved law and order, better roads, school enrolment, and a more functional administration reshaped Bihar’s image nationally. Even his fiercest critics concede his personal honesty and relative administrative cleanliness. That record deserves respect. It should not be overshadowed by avoidable controversies born out of momentary lapses in judgment. Yes, Nitish Kumar has earned the unflattering sobriquet of “Palturam” for his frequent political somersaults to stay in power. Opportunism has undoubtedly marked his career. Yet opportunism is not incompetence, and political flexibility is not moral failure. The BJP’s decision to support him once again—allowing him to take oath for a record sixth term—was based on political arithmetic, but also on an implicit acknowledgment of his governance credentials. Which is why restraint now matters more than ever. Nitish Kumar is no longer just another politician; he is an institution in Bihar’s political history. Institutions must conduct themselves with dignity, composure, and awareness of optics. Public behaviour, gestures, and words must be measured—not because opponents demand it, but because the office demands it. This is not a call for retirement or for questioning his mandate. It is a reminder—perhaps an admonition—that legacy is not only built by what one achieves, but also by how one conducts oneself at the end. Nitish Kumar still has the opportunity to be remembered as the leader who transformed Bihar. But to ensure that, he must first learn to restrain himself.
