Petition Filed Against Nitish Kumar In Bihar Court For Disrespecting National Anthem

Nitish Kumar

A heated war of words broke out in the Bihar Assembly on Friday as ruling and opposition MLAs clashed over allegations that Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had insulted the national anthem.

The confrontation began early in the day, with opposition members storming into the Well of the House, holding placards, and chanting slogans demanding an “unconditional apology” from the Chief Minister.

Allegations

The source of the controversy stems from an incident during the inaugural ceremony of the Sepak Takraw World Cup 2025 at the Pataliputra Sports Complex on Thursday. At the event, when the national anthem was announced, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar allegedly got up from his seat and walked down the dais, leaving cabinet colleagues and officials surprised and confused by his abrupt departure.

Opposition members were quick to react, accusing the Chief Minister of disrespecting the national anthem. They demanded that Nitish Kumar apologize publicly for what they described as an insult to both the national anthem and the people of India. Some members even went so far as to call for his resignation, claiming that his actions were unfit for someone holding the highest office in the state.

Protests & Disruptions In The Assembly

As the session began, the opposition’s protests intensified. Despite repeated appeals from Speaker Nand Kishore Yadav, who suggested that the issue could be raised during the Zero Hour, the opposition MLAs remained steadfast in their demands. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary also intervened, stating that while the government was willing to address the issue, it should be done in line with the procedures set for such matters.

However, as the protests showed no signs of subsiding, Speaker Nand Kishore Yadav was left with no option but to adjourn the Assembly till 2 pm.

Opposition Demands

After the adjournment, Leader of the Opposition Tejashwi Yadav addressed the media, expressing his deep concerns about the incident. He stated, “This is a serious matter. It is an insult to the national anthem and, by extension, an insult to the people of India. The Chief Minister’s actions show that he is not fit to govern the state.”

Yadav went on to demand an unconditional apology from Nitish Kumar and called for his resignation. “It is surprising that the CM has not uttered a word on the issue. Why are leaders of the NDA, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, choosing to remain silent about this incident?” Yadav questioned.

Opposition May Approach Governor

As the controversy continued to gain momentum, some opposition members indicated that they might take the matter up with Bihar Governor Arif Mohammed Khan. They expressed their intention to meet with the Governor to raise the issue formally and seek action over the alleged disrespect shown to the national anthem.

This incident has sparked a major political debate in Bihar, with both the ruling and opposition parties at loggerheads over the actions of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. As the issue continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how it will impact the state’s political landscape in the coming days.