Daijiworld Media Network - Patna
Patna, Dec 15: A controversy broke out on Monday after a video surfaced from a government programme in Patna showing Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar allegedly removing the hijab of a woman AYUSH doctor while handing over appointment letters, triggering sharp reactions from opposition parties.
The incident took place at a function held at the Chief Minister’s residence, where appointment letters were being distributed to newly recruited AYUSH doctors. Nusrat Parveen, one of the appointees, stepped forward to receive her letter. After handing it over, Nitish Kumar was seen gesturing towards her headscarf, asking her about it and then instructing her to remove it. Moments later, he appeared to remove the hijab himself.
The woman doctor was visibly uncomfortable for a brief period, while some people present at the event were seen laughing in the background, as captured in the video that later went viral on social media.
Sharing the clip online, the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) strongly criticised the chief minister, asking, “What has happened to Nitish ji? Has his mental state deteriorated completely, or has Nitish Babu now become 100% Sanghi?”
The Congress also launched a scathing attack, terming the act “disgusting” and demanding Nitish Kumar’s immediate resignation. In a post on X, the party said that such behaviour from a person holding the highest constitutional post in the state raised serious concerns about women’s safety in Bihar.
“Look at this shameless act. When a woman doctor came to receive her appointment letter, Nitish Kumar pulled off her hijab. If a person occupying the highest post in the state behaves in such a disgraceful manner in public, one can only imagine how safe women are in the state. Nitish Kumar should resign immediately for this reprehensible act. This kind of misconduct is unforgivable,” the Congress said.
The programme was organised to distribute appointment letters to 1,283 AYUSH doctors, including 685 Ayurvedic, 393 Homeopathic and 205 Unani practitioners. According to officials, the newly appointed doctors will be posted at various health institutions under AYUSH Medical Services and the National Health Mission.
They will be deployed for outpatient services and as part of the ‘Roaming Medical Team’ under the National Child Health Programme, aimed at improving school health check-ups and strengthening healthcare delivery across Bihar.