ISLAMABAD: Dr. Nusrat Parveen, a newly appointed Unani doctor, was publicly assaulted by Indian Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who pulled down her hijab (veil), as seen in the viral video during an official government ceremony in Patna on Monday.
The incident occurred at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat, Samvad, where Kumar was distributing appointment letters to newly recruited AYUSH doctors, according to Indian media reports.
Dr. Parveen was among the doctors called on stage to receive her appointment letter directly from the Chief Minister.
Who is Dr. Nusrat Parveen?
Dr. Nusrat Parveen is a Unani medical practitioner, part of India’s state-backed AYUSH system, which includes Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy.
She was appointed as a government medical officer under Bihar’s health services in the latest recruitment drive, according to officials and Indian media reports.
Parveen was one of 1,283 AYUSH doctors recruited by the Bihar government in 2025 to strengthen primary healthcare services across the state.
The batch included 685 Ayurvedic doctors, 393 homeopathic doctors, and 205 Unani practitioners, officials said.
Dr. Parveen is among the 205 Unani doctors selected in this recruitment cycle.
Unani medicine is a traditional medical system with roots in Greco-Arabic medical science and is formally regulated and practiced under India’s public healthcare framework.
According to government recruitment details, AYUSH doctors are deployed in public health facilities, including primary and community health centers, to provide outpatient care and support national health programs, particularly in rural and underserved areas.
The appointment ceremony
The ceremony on Monday involved the distribution of appointment letters to newly recruited doctors, most of whom received their letters digitally.
A small group, including Dr. Parveen, was invited to receive letters in person from the chief minister, according to officials.
She approached the stage wearing a hijab that partially covered her face. It was at this moment that the chief minister intervened, leading to the widely criticized incident.
As of Tuesday, the chief minister’s office has also not released an official explanation or apology regarding the incident, Indian media reported.
The episode has reignited debate in India over women’s dignity, religious freedom, and the conduct of public officials at state functions.
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