Hijab row: Bihar official claims Dr Nusrat will join duty on December 20
The Bihar health department has issued a 15-day ultimatum to 19 AYUSH doctors, including Dr. Nusrat Parveen, to report for duty or face dismissal. The move comes amid ongoing controversy over her suspension and a recent threat against Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. Authorities have now tightened his security in response to a video message from a Pakistan-based underworld figure.
Dr. Parveen, suspended in July 2025 over alleged document forgery, is scheduled to resume work at Government Tibbi College and Hospital in Patna on December 20, 2025. Her family and colleagues have confirmed her intention to return on that date.
The health department’s notice warns the 19 doctors that failure to join within 15 days will be treated as a refusal to accept their postings. Dr. Parveen’s case has drawn particular attention after her suspension last year for supposedly falsifying admission documents.
Bihar health minister Mangal Pandey stated he had no prior knowledge of reports suggesting she might not report for duty. Meanwhile, Union minister and BJP MP Giriraj Singh downplayed the significance of her return, arguing that it made no difference whether she joined or not. The controversy began when Dr. Parveen was suspended in July 2025. Since then, the hijab incident linked to her case has sparked international criticism, with accusations that Nitish Kumar’s government disrespected Muslim traditions. The situation escalated further after a video threat from a Pakistan-based underworld don surfaced, prompting increased security for the chief minister. Patna’s Cyber police station has registered a case against the underworld figure, with Patna IG Jitendra Rana overseeing the investigation. Despite the threats and political debates, Dr. Parveen’s family and former classmates insist she remains committed to resuming her position on December 20, 2025.
The health department’s deadline puts pressure on the 19 doctors to comply or risk losing their positions. Dr. Parveen’s return to work, if it proceeds as planned, may ease some tensions, though the legal and security concerns surrounding the case remain unresolved. Investigations into the threat against Nitish Kumar are ongoing under the supervision of senior police officials.
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