Controversy Erupts as Bihar Doctor Fails to Join Duty After CM's Incident

The recent incident involving Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and doctor Nusrat Parveen has ignited significant controversy. After Kumar forcibly removed Parveen's niqab during a public event, she failed to report for duty, leading to widespread criticism from opposition leaders and human rights organizations. The situation escalated as Jharkhand's Health Minister offered her a lucrative position in his state. This incident raises questions about dignity and respect for women's rights in public life. As the deadline for joining approaches, many are left wondering if Parveen will take up the offer or return to her post in Bihar. Read on for more details about this unfolding story.

By Narendra Chaudhary Dec 21, 2025, 09:42 IST

Incident Sparks Outrage

A female physician, Nusrat Parveen, who had her niqab forcibly removed by Bihar's Chief Minister Nitish Kumar during a public event on December 15, did not report for duty on Saturday, according to reports.

The incident occurred at the chief minister's secretariat in Patna, where Kumar unveiled appointment letters for newly appointed practitioners in AYUSH, which encompasses Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy.

Following the viral video of the event, opposition leaders condemned Kumar's actions, prompting Iltija Mufti, a leader from the Peoples Democratic Party, to file a police report against him in Srinagar.

As the controversy unfolded, Parveen remained absent from work until 7 PM on Saturday, leading Patna Civil Surgeon Avinash Kumar Singh to state that the "possibility window for the day" had closed.

Singh noted, “I have been informed that the last date for joining has been extended beyond December 20. It remains uncertain if Parveen will report on Monday.”

Vijay Kumar, a surgeon at the Sabalpur public health center in Patna Sadar, confirmed that Parveen had not joined, stating, “Several others have joined today, but she is not among them. Her name is listed, but we have yet to receive her appointment letter from the civil surgeon's office in Patna.”

In a related development, Jharkhand's Health Minister Irfan Ansari extended an offer to Parveen for a government position in Jharkhand, promising a monthly salary of Rs 3 lakh, along with government housing and a preferred posting.

Ansari remarked, “I identify as a doctor first, and then as a minister. The incident has affected the entire medical community and conveys a negative message to the nation.”

On December 16, the human rights organization Amnesty International condemned Kumar's actions, labeling them as an “assault on this woman’s dignity, autonomy, and identity.”

They stated, “When a public official forcibly removes a woman’s hijab, it implies that such behavior is acceptable in society.”