The Crossbill Team
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar found himself at the center of a major political controversy after a video surfaced allegedly showing him engaging in conversation and greeting someone while the national anthem was being played at the inauguration of the Sepaktakraw World Cup in Patna.
The incident sparked uproar in the Bihar legislature on Friday (March 21), disrupting proceedings in both the Assembly and the Council.
The viral video, shared by several Opposition leaders, including Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) president Lalu Prasad Yadav, appeared to show Nitish laughing and attempting to speak to his principal secretary, Deepak Kumar, even as others stood in attention.
He was also seen patting Deepak’s shoulder and greeting someone in the audience with folded hands before the anthem concluded.
The controversy triggered a political storm, with the Opposition demanding Nitish Kumar’s resignation, questioning both his actions and his ability to continue governing the state.
The issue was raised in the Bihar Assembly and Council as soon as proceedings began on Friday, with Opposition legislators storming the well, chanting slogans, and displaying posters condemning the chief minister’s actions.
The chaos led to multiple adjournments, with the Assembly managing to function for barely 14 minutes before budgetary grants for 10 departments were rushed through and passed.
RJD leader and former Chief Minister Rabri Devi staged a protest outside the Legislative Council, holding a placard that labelled Nitish’s actions “unconstitutional and unlawful,” citing legal provisions that could result in a fine or imprisonment of up to three years for disrespecting the national anthem.
Her son and Leader of Opposition in the Assembly, Tejashwi Yadav, launched a scathing attack on Nitish and the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA), calling Thursday a “black day” for Bihar.
“It is deeply regrettable, and as people of Bihar, we feel ashamed. The Chief Minister is not just a CM but also the leader of the state. The way the video surfaced yesterday, showing the insult to the national anthem, is highly condemnable, painful, and shameful for us as Biharis. No one should tolerate any disrespect toward the national anthem. That is why we have brought a censure motion in the assembly,” Tejashwi told IANS.
The controversy also reignited discussions over Nitish Kumar’s health, with Opposition leaders suggesting he was no longer fit to govern. CPI(ML) general secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya questioned the Chief Minister’s ability to discharge his duties, stating that his recent public behaviour indicated he was struggling to manage the responsibilities of his office.
“Is Nitish Kumar still fit to discharge the CM's responsibilities?” he asked.
“The CM's public utterances and conduct make it increasingly clear that he is no longer in a position to discharge the responsibilities that go with the office of the Chief Minister. The least that the people of Bihar deserve is clarity about the conditions of the Chief Minister,” Bhattacharya said.
He also accused the BJP of maintaining double standards, pointing out that the party had raised concerns over Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik’s health but was silent on Nitish Kumar’s condition.
Critics further alleged that governance in Bihar was collapsing, with increasing crime, corruption, and communal tensions—issues Nitish had once vowed to tackle. The incident has further fuelled demands for transparency regarding the chief minister’s health and ability to lead the state.
The incident sparked uproar in the Bihar legislature on Friday (March 21), disrupting proceedings in both the Assembly and the Council.
The viral video, shared by several Opposition leaders, including Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) president Lalu Prasad Yadav, appeared to show Nitish laughing and attempting to speak to his principal secretary, Deepak Kumar, even as others stood in attention.
He was also seen patting Deepak’s shoulder and greeting someone in the audience with folded hands before the anthem concluded.
नीतीश कुमार की हरकतों का अब बुरा नहीं मानना चाहिए, आसपास के लोगों के इशारों से भी नहीं रुकने वाले हैं वो. इन सब से ऊपर उठ चुके हैं. #nitishkumar pic.twitter.com/zj6nzd1pBo
— अंकित मिश्र चंचल (@ankitprayaag) March 20, 2025
The controversy triggered a political storm, with the Opposition demanding Nitish Kumar’s resignation, questioning both his actions and his ability to continue governing the state.
The issue was raised in the Bihar Assembly and Council as soon as proceedings began on Friday, with Opposition legislators storming the well, chanting slogans, and displaying posters condemning the chief minister’s actions.
The chaos led to multiple adjournments, with the Assembly managing to function for barely 14 minutes before budgetary grants for 10 departments were rushed through and passed.
RJD leader and former Chief Minister Rabri Devi staged a protest outside the Legislative Council, holding a placard that labelled Nitish’s actions “unconstitutional and unlawful,” citing legal provisions that could result in a fine or imprisonment of up to three years for disrespecting the national anthem.
Her son and Leader of Opposition in the Assembly, Tejashwi Yadav, launched a scathing attack on Nitish and the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA), calling Thursday a “black day” for Bihar.
“It is deeply regrettable, and as people of Bihar, we feel ashamed. The Chief Minister is not just a CM but also the leader of the state. The way the video surfaced yesterday, showing the insult to the national anthem, is highly condemnable, painful, and shameful for us as Biharis. No one should tolerate any disrespect toward the national anthem. That is why we have brought a censure motion in the assembly,” Tejashwi told IANS.
The controversy also reignited discussions over Nitish Kumar’s health, with Opposition leaders suggesting he was no longer fit to govern. CPI(ML) general secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya questioned the Chief Minister’s ability to discharge his duties, stating that his recent public behaviour indicated he was struggling to manage the responsibilities of his office.
“Is Nitish Kumar still fit to discharge the CM's responsibilities?” he asked.
“The CM's public utterances and conduct make it increasingly clear that he is no longer in a position to discharge the responsibilities that go with the office of the Chief Minister. The least that the people of Bihar deserve is clarity about the conditions of the Chief Minister,” Bhattacharya said.
He also accused the BJP of maintaining double standards, pointing out that the party had raised concerns over Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik’s health but was silent on Nitish Kumar’s condition.
Critics further alleged that governance in Bihar was collapsing, with increasing crime, corruption, and communal tensions—issues Nitish had once vowed to tackle. The incident has further fuelled demands for transparency regarding the chief minister’s health and ability to lead the state.
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