The Crossbill News Desk
The Muslim doctor whose hijab was pulled down by Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar during a public function has not reported for duty within the stipulated deadline, officials confirmed on Saturday (December 20).
Nusrat Parveen, who had been appointed as an AYUSH doctor, was required to join service by 6 p.m. on Saturday but did not turn up.
The incident that triggered widespread outrage occurred last week when Kumar was distributing appointment letters to newly recruited AYUSH doctors. As he handed over the appointment letter to Parveen, the chief minister pulled down her hijab, an act that was captured on camera and circulated widely.
Parveen is currently a postgraduate student at the Government Tibbi College and Hospital in Patna.
Speaking to The Hindu, district civil surgeon Avinash Kumar Singh said, “Today (December 20) by 6 p.m. was the last date to join the duty, but she did not come. However, it does not mean that she cannot join later. There is a possibility if the health department allows her to join. There would be no problem in that.”
Her family has said that the young doctor was deeply distressed by the episode. Parveen’s brother earlier said that she was reluctant to take up the posting because of the humiliation she experienced.
“She is determined not to join the service. However, all family members, including me, are trying to convince her otherwise. We are telling her that it is the fault of the other person, so why should she feel bad or suffer because of it,” he had said.
The incident sparked a major political controversy in Bihar, with opposition parties and civil society organisations sharply criticising Kumar’s behaviour. Many termed the act an affront to a Muslim woman’s dignity and demanded a public apology from the chief minister.
“This act was an assault on this woman’s dignity, autonomy, and identity. When a public official forcibly pulls down a woman’s hijab, it sends a message to the general public that this behaviour is acceptable. No one has the right to police a woman’s faith or clothing. Such actions deepen fear, normalize discrimination, and erode the very foundations of equality and freedom of religion. This violation demands unequivocal condemnation and accountability. Urgent steps must be taken to ensure that no woman is subjected to such degrading treatment,” Aakar Patel, chair of board at Amnesty International India, said in a statement.
The episode has also added to a series of recent incidents involving the chief minister that have prompted public debate and raised questions about Nitish Kumar’s conduct and mental wellbeing.
Nusrat Parveen, who had been appointed as an AYUSH doctor, was required to join service by 6 p.m. on Saturday but did not turn up.
The incident that triggered widespread outrage occurred last week when Kumar was distributing appointment letters to newly recruited AYUSH doctors. As he handed over the appointment letter to Parveen, the chief minister pulled down her hijab, an act that was captured on camera and circulated widely.
Parveen is currently a postgraduate student at the Government Tibbi College and Hospital in Patna.
Speaking to The Hindu, district civil surgeon Avinash Kumar Singh said, “Today (December 20) by 6 p.m. was the last date to join the duty, but she did not come. However, it does not mean that she cannot join later. There is a possibility if the health department allows her to join. There would be no problem in that.”
Her family has said that the young doctor was deeply distressed by the episode. Parveen’s brother earlier said that she was reluctant to take up the posting because of the humiliation she experienced.
“She is determined not to join the service. However, all family members, including me, are trying to convince her otherwise. We are telling her that it is the fault of the other person, so why should she feel bad or suffer because of it,” he had said.
The incident sparked a major political controversy in Bihar, with opposition parties and civil society organisations sharply criticising Kumar’s behaviour. Many termed the act an affront to a Muslim woman’s dignity and demanded a public apology from the chief minister.
“This act was an assault on this woman’s dignity, autonomy, and identity. When a public official forcibly pulls down a woman’s hijab, it sends a message to the general public that this behaviour is acceptable. No one has the right to police a woman’s faith or clothing. Such actions deepen fear, normalize discrimination, and erode the very foundations of equality and freedom of religion. This violation demands unequivocal condemnation and accountability. Urgent steps must be taken to ensure that no woman is subjected to such degrading treatment,” Aakar Patel, chair of board at Amnesty International India, said in a statement.
The episode has also added to a series of recent incidents involving the chief minister that have prompted public debate and raised questions about Nitish Kumar’s conduct and mental wellbeing.
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