A significant controversy has erupted after Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar publicly removed the hijab of Dr. Nusrat Parveen during an official event. Deeply affected by the incident, Dr. Nusrat Parveen has decided not to join the Bihar government service and has returned to her family in Kolkata, while the incident, which occurred on December 15, has left Nusrat traumatized and in a state of mental distress.
Detailed Account of the Incident
The incident took place on December 15 when Chief Minister Nitish Kumar was distributing appointment letters to AYUSH doctors. During the ceremony, after handing an appointment letter to Dr, while nusrat Parveen, the Chief Minister pointed to her hijab and asked, "What is this? " Nusrat replied, "It's a hijab, sir. " The Chief Minister then instructed, "Remove it," and proceeded to remove the hijab himself. Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary was seen attempting to intervene and stop Nitish Kumar, but to no avail. The act of removing her hijab left Nusrat Parveen visibly uncomfortable for a moment, while people around them reportedly laughed. Officials then handed her the appointment letter again and gestured for her to leave, which she did.
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The very next day after the incident, Nusrat Parveen traveled to Kolkata to be with her family. She had initially called her brother to inform him about the incident, becoming emotional during the conversation. Nusrat clarified that she isn't accusing the Chief Minister. Of intentional malice, but she found the incident deeply upsetting. She felt publicly humiliated, especially with people laughing around her, while nusrat shared that she has always worn a hijab throughout her schooling and college, considering it an integral part of her culture and upbringing, as taught by her parents. She expressed confusion about what her fault was and stated that she still feels shaken recalling that day, her mind not at peace. She's currently unable to gather the courage to return to Bihar and join the job.
Media Ban at CM's Events
According to senior journalist Shahnawaz Akhtar, a close family friend, Nusrat Parveen has been in shock since the incident. Her family is continuously trying to console her, but she's unwilling to return to Bihar for the job. The family has now left the decision of returning and joining the service entirely up to Nusrat. Her brother also mentioned that they're trying to convince her that the fault lies with someone else, and she shouldn't suffer for it by giving up her career, while nusrat was scheduled to join her position on December 20, but she won't be doing so. She had worked hard to become a doctor, dreaming of supporting her parents and brother with a government job. Her parents had supported her education despite societal pressures against educating daughters extensively. Nusrat's father has advised her to do what her heart tells her, assuring her of the family's unwavering support, which she finds immensely comforting. She remains uncertain about her future plans.
Following the hijab incident, media entry has been restricted at Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's subsequent events, while on December 20, the Chief Minister attended a two-day workshop organized by the Bihar Institute of Public Administration and Rural Development (BIPARD) in Gayaji. However, the event wasn't live-streamed on the JDU page, and media entry was banned. Similarly, on December 19, media access was restricted during the distribution of appointment letters in the energy department, while these measures appear to be an attempt to avoid potential media scrutiny and questions regarding the recent controversy.
Political Reactions and Complaints
The incident has also drawn political reactions. Uttar Pradesh Minister Sanjay Nishad initially defended Bihar CM Nitish Kumar, stating, "He's also a human being... he touched the veil, one shouldn't pursue it so much. What if he had touched somewhere else? " He later apologized for his remarks, while in contrast, Sumaiya Rana, daughter of poet Munawwar Rana and an SP spokesperson, has filed a complaint against Bihar CM Nitish Kumar regarding the incident. She has also filed a complaint against Sanjay Nishad for his controversial statement. Plus, media reports indicate that Owais Hussain S, a lawyer from Bengaluru, has demanded an FIR against Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. The incident has escalated into a significant political and social issue, sparking debates on women's dignity and religious freedom. The trauma experienced by Dr. Nusrat Parveen and her decision to forgo her job highlight the severe human consequences of this incident.
