An incident involving Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and a woman doctor during an official appointment letter distribution programme has triggered a nationwide controversy. The episode occurred at an event in Patna where appointment letters were being handed over to newly recruited AYUSH doctors. The woman doctor, Nusrat Parveen, was scheduled to join her duties on Saturday, December 20, but she did not report to work, drawing further attention to the issue.
The controversy stems from an incident on December 15, when Nusrat Parveen stepped onto the stage to receive her appointment letter. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar noticed her burqa, questioned it, and briefly removed it to see her face. A video of the incident went viral on social media, prompting sharp criticism from opposition parties and Muslim organisations, which accused the Chief Minister of violating the doctor’s dignity and personal autonomy.
Following the incident, Nusrat Parveen was required to report for duty by 7 pm on Saturday at the Sabalpur Primary Health Centre in Patna. However, officials confirmed that she neither joined duty nor communicated her decision. Sources say she is under severe mental stress and is reconsidering whether to take up the appointment. She has also reportedly been reluctant to face the media amid intense public scrutiny.
Bihar CM Nitish Kumar pulled the veil of a woman while distributing appointment letters to Ayush practitioners. Even Deputy CM tried to stop him. He wouldn't have done this if he was in his sense. There are several such videos of him behaving awkwardly. pic.twitter.com/M3za0FkQFe
— Mohammed Zubair (@zoo_bear) December 15, 2025
In the meantime, Jharkhand Health Minister Irfan Ansari announced a job offer to Nusrat Parveen, promising employment in Jharkhand with a monthly salary of ₹3 lakh along with residential accommodation. Despite the offer, no response has been received from the doctor so far.
Taking into account the special circumstances, the State Health Society has extended the deadline for joining duty until December 31. Officials clarified that the extension was granted following requests from Nusrat Parveen and a few other candidates. Mahfuzur Rehman, principal of the college where she studied, said she has chosen to stay away from the public eye until the media attention subsides.
The Supreme Court Bar Association strongly condemned the Chief Minister’s action, stating that it amounted to an infringement of a woman’s dignity and right to personal autonomy. In contrast, Bihar Governor Arif Mohammad Khan defended Nitish Kumar, saying the Chief Minister acted with a fatherly intent and urged people not to politicise the matter.
What began as an incident at a government programme has now escalated into a national debate. Whether Nusrat Parveen will continue her medical career in Bihar or withdraw from the position following the controversy remains a subject of widespread public interest.