Patna: The Bihar Legislative Assembly witnessed chaotic scenes on Friday due to Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s behaviour during the national anthem at a sports event, as opposition members led by Tejashwi Yadav raised a ruckus. Video clips showing Kumar conversing, laughing, and gesturing during the playing of the national anthem at the Sepak Takraw World Cup 2025 opening sparked controversy.
Attacking Chief Minister Kumar, opposition leader Tejashwi Yadav said Kumar had “brought every Bihari to shame through his conduct”. Outside the assembly, he said, “Perhaps this is the first instance in the history of the country when a sitting CM disrespected the national anthem.”
Former Chief Minister Rabri Devi also demanded Kumar’s resignation, saying he “should quit from the CM’s chair and install his son Nishant Kumar as the chief minister instead.” Treading carefully, Rabri Devi also asked, ‘Why is the BJP maintaining silence over the issue? e? She continued, “What would have happened if my husband, Lalu Prasad, had done similar things to women?”
In response to Kumar’s statement, RJD MP Misa Bharti expressed concern about Kumar’s mental health and questioned whether Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah were aware of Kumar’s current state of illness. On Thursday, Bharti told reporters, “He makes cheap remarks against women and children every day…. PM Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah should think in whose hands Bihar is.
The viral video showed the 74-year-old Chief Minister conversing with his principal secretary, Deepak Kumar, while they were singing the national anthem. At one point, he was also seen in another part of the hall folding his hands in what looked like a namaste towards a section of the audience, as others stood at attention.
Opposition members continued their protest in the well of the House, forcing the Speaker to adjourn proceedings till 2 PM. The JD(U) defended its own leader, with party spokesperson Neeraj Kumar calling the opposition claims mere “jokes” and reminding Tejaswi Yadav of its own political legacy.
कम से कम कृपया राष्ट्र गान का तो अपमान मत करिए मा॰ मुख्यमंत्री जी।
युवा, छात्र, महिला और बुजुर्गों को तो आप प्रतिदिन अपमानित करते ही है।
कभी महात्मा गांधी जी के शहादत दिवस पर ताली बजा उनकी शहादत का मखौल उड़ाते है तो कभी राष्ट्रगान का!
PS: आपको याद दिला दें कि आप एक बड़े प्रदेश… pic.twitter.com/rFDXcGxRdV
— Tejashwi Yadav (@yadavtejashwi) March 20, 2025