Patna: The Bihar government has extended the joining date for AYUSH doctors, offering Dr Nusrat Parveen—who rose to prominence during the hijab controversy—another opportunity to assume her position. The new deadline for joining is now January 7, following previous extensions.
Dr Nusrat, who had not reported for duty by December 31, is among approximately 12% of newly appointed AYUSH doctors yet to take up their posts, according to the Patna Civil Surgeon. The initial joining date had been December 20, but a significant number of doctors failed to report, prompting the first extension to December 31.
The controversy surrounding Dr Nusrat escalated after a video of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar distributing appointment letters on December 15 was leaked by the opposition Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD). In the footage, Dr Nusrat, wearing a hijab, had her veil removed by CM, prompting criticism and widespread political debate. The incident drew attention not only in Bihar but also in Jharkhand and Kashmir.
The ongoing political debate has overshadowed the administrative aspect of Dr Nusrat’s appointment. Despite repeated calls, neither she nor her family has communicated with the health department regarding her joining. Governor Arif Mohammad Khan has advised her to assume the post, while in Jharkhand, Health Minister Dr Irfan Ansari reportedly offered her a job with a monthly salary of Rs 300,000, though the state government later distanced itself from the offer. In Kashmir, Bilkis, daughter-in-law of former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, filed a complaint against Nitish Kumar.
Officials say the Bihar government is keen for Dr Nusrat to join her post, emphasising the need for medical professionals to serve patients amid ongoing political scrutiny.
