Doctor at Centre of Nitish Kumar Hijab Row Yet to Join Duty as Political Storm Continues

Patna, December 21: The Ayush doctor whose naqab was removed by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar during an appointment letter distribution event earlier this week has not reported for duty so far, officials confirmed on Saturday. The incident, which was caught on camera and went viral on social media, has triggered widespread political debate and public outrage across the country. According to Patna Civil Surgeon Avinash Kumar Singh, the doctor, Nusrat Parveen, did not join duty till 7 pm on Saturday, after which the joining process for the day was closed. Singh said the deadline for reporting to duty has been extended beyond December 20, but did not clarify the new last date. He added that it remains to be seen whether Parveen will report for duty on Monday. Parveen was posted at the Sabalpur Primary Health Centre in Patna Sadar. Vijay Kumar, a surgeon posted at the same health centre, confirmed that she had not joined. He said several doctors reported on Saturday, but Parveen was not among them. He also explained that newly appointed doctors are required to first report to the civil surgeon’s office before formally joining their assigned centres, and Parveen’s appointment letter had not yet reached the PHC. The controversy began on Monday during a government programme at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat in Patna, where appointment letters were being handed over to newly selected Ayush doctors. When Parveen came forward wearing a naqab, Nitish Kumar was seen asking a question and then pulling down her veil. The moment was recorded on video and quickly spread online, leading to sharp criticism from opposition parties and civil rights groups. As the issue continued to escalate, Bihar Governor Arif Mohammad Khan expressed discomfort over the situation. Speaking to reporters in Patna, the Governor said it was painful to see the incident being described as a dispute. He defended the Chief Minister, saying Nitish Kumar views young women like his daughters and questioned why the issue was being turned into a controversy. Meanwhile, officials from Parveen’s college said the situation remains unclear. Mahfoozur Rahman, principal of the Government Tibbi College and Hospital, where Parveen is a second-year student, said the joining deadline was extended considering it was a “special case”. He confirmed that Parveen has not yet joined duty and that there is no final decision on her next step. Rahman said the family wants to stay away from media attention and that Parveen is reconsidering whether she wants to take up the government posting or continue with higher studies. He also dismissed reports suggesting that the family had moved to Kolkata as a form of protest. Quoting Parveen’s husband, Rahman said the family is not angry with the Chief Minister or the state government, but is disappointed with how the issue was amplified in the media. He added that Parveen last attended college around December 17 or 18 and still has the option to choose her future path. The matter has also drawn reactions from neighbouring Jharkhand. State Health Minister Irfan Ansari announced that he had offered Parveen a job in Jharkhand with a monthly salary of ₹3 lakh, a government residence, security and a posting of her choice. Ansari said the incident was an insult to dignity and accused Nitish Kumar of humiliating the Muslim community. However, Ansari’s offer was criticised by the BJP. Former BJP MLA Bhanu Pratap Sahi called it “appeasement politics” and questioned how a doctor appointed in Bihar could be offered a government job in Jharkhand. He also asked why similar opportunities were not being offered to local candidates. Adding to the pressure, a social worker filed a police complaint against Nitish Kumar. Mohammad Murtaza Alam submitted the complaint at an Itki police station, citing the viral video and alleging that the Chief Minister’s action was inappropriate. As the political debate grows and official decisions remain pending, the focus now remains on whether Nusrat Parveen will eventually join duty or take a different path amid one of Bihar’s most talked-about controversies in recent times. Doctor at Centre of Nitish Kumar Hijab Row Yet to Join Duty as Political Storm Continues The Ayush doctor whose naqab was removed by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar during an appointment letter distribution event earlier this week has still not joined duty, officials confirmed on Saturday. The incident, which was captured on video and went viral online, has sparked widespread outrage and political debate across the country. According to Patna Civil Surgeon Avinash Kumar Singh, the doctor, Nusrat Parveen, did not report for duty till 7 pm on Saturday. While the original joining deadline was December 20, officials said it has now been extended, though the new date has not been officially announced. Parveen was posted at the Sabalpur Primary Health Centre in Patna Sadar, but doctors at the centre confirmed that she has not reported so far. The controversy began on Monday at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat in Patna, where newly appointed Ayush doctors were receiving their appointment letters. When Nusrat Parveen approached wearing a naqab, Nitish Kumar was seen questioning it and then pulling down her veil. The video spread quickly on social media, leading to strong reactions from opposition leaders, rights groups and the public. Bihar Governor Arif Mohammad Khan defended the Chief Minister, saying the issue should not be turned into a dispute. He stated that Nitish Kumar views young women as his daughters and expressed sadness over how the matter was being portrayed. Officials from Parveen’s college said the family wants to avoid media attention. The principal of Government Tibbi College and Hospital, where she is a second-year student, said Parveen is reconsidering whether to join duty or continue her studies. He also clarified that reports about the family moving to Kolkata are false. The issue has also drawn reactions from Jharkhand. State Health Minister Irfan Ansari offered Parveen a job with a ₹3 lakh monthly salary, housing, security and a posting of her choice, calling the incident an attack on dignity. The BJP criticised the offer, calling it appeasement politics. A police complaint has also been filed against Nitish Kumar over the incident. As the debate continues, all eyes are now on whether Nusrat Parveen will join duty or take another path.