Weeks after veil row, Bihar AYUSH doctor joins duty

Patna: Ayush doctor, whose 'naqaab' (veil) was allegedly removed by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar during an appointment letter distribution function last month, sparking a controversy, has finally joined duty on Wednesday, an official said.

Talking to PTI, Government Tibbi College and Hospital principal Mahfoozur Rahman said she reported for duty on the last date of joining.

According to a recent PTI report, "Today was the last date of joining, and she reported for duty at the Patna Civil Surgeon's Office. She will be posted suitably by the civil surgeon's office," Rahman said.

Also Read:Bihar Health Minister says unaware of AYUSH doctor refusing duty amid Hijab row

The last date for joining was extended a couple of times, first till December 31 and then January 7, the principal said.

She was a student of the college of which Rahman is the principal.

Reports suggested that the doctor initially refused to join out of "resentment," a claim denied by the college administration.

"She comes to college. I talk to her occasionally, though not on the issue of joining," Rahman said.

Last month, when she failed to join within the original deadline, the principal had asserted, "Her family said they want to escape media coverage, and that she will rethink whether to join." Patna Civil Surgeon could not be reached for comments.

Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar sparked a row after he was seen removing the hijab (veil) of a newly recruited AYUSH doctor while distributing appointment letters at Samvad, the Chief Minister’s secretariat. A purported video of the incident, which has gone viral on social media, was shared by the opposition parties, including the RJD and the Congress, who questioned the Chief Minister's mental stability.

Also Read:Video of Bihar CM pulling down hijab of AYUSH doctor sparks political row