Doctor whose naqab was removed by Nitish Kumar will join duty in Bihar Official

    Patna, Dec 19 (PTI) Amid rumours that a doctor has declined a government job in Bihar after her naqab (veil) was removed by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar during a programme here, an official concerned on Friday claimed that she will join duty.
    Dr Mahfoozur Rahman, principal of the Government Tibbi College and Hospital here, told PTI that AYUSH doctor Nusrat Parveen's family has confirmed that she will join duty on Saturday.
    He also claimed that the CM's intention was not wrong, and neither the doctor nor her family members were disturbed by the incident.
    "I spoke to Parveen's husband, relatives and her classmates. They told me that she would join duty on December 20. She has to first report to the Government Tibbi College and Hospital, and later she will be transferred to her place of posting. Her family members and classmates have assured me that she would join duty on Saturday," Rahman said.
    The incident, a video clip of which has been circulated widely and sparked a major political row, took place on Monday at the chief minister's secretariat in Patna when Ayush doctors had gathered to receive their letters of appointment. When the woman came up for her letter, Kumar saw her naqab, said 'what is this' and then removed the veil.
    Following this, there were rumours that Parveen declined the job.
    The principal claimed that this incident has been given a wrong twist.
    "Nitish Kumar ji's intention was not wrong at all. He had done it out of love and respect. I would also like to say that neither her family members nor the doctor herself are disturbed by the incident. Parveen always stays behind the veil in the college," he said.
    Parveen was a student of the college of which Rahman is the principal.
    The incident has drawn criticism from far and wide, including several West Asian countries, and Kumar, also the JD(U) president, has been facing accusations of disrespecting Muslims traditions allegedly in line with the 'RSS agenda'.
    Bihar Minister Dilip Jaiswal on Friday said, "A controversy is being created unnecessarily over the issue. The NDA government under the leadership of Nitish Kumar ji has taken several steps for the empowerment of women in the state."
    Meanwhile, the CM has reportedly received a threat from a Pakistan-based man over the naqab controversy. The Cyber police station in Patna has registered a case.
    DGP Vinay Kumar on Thursday told reporters that the case has been handed over to Patna Inspector General of Police.

(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)