Bihar Governor Arif Mohammad Khan on Saturday stepped forward to defend Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who is facing severe criticism from opposition parties for removing a woman doctor's 'naqab' or veil during a public event earlier this week. The governor framed the chief minister's action as a paternal gesture, stating Kumar views female students as his own daughters.
Governor's Defence and Media Blame
Speaking to the press, Governor Khan expressed his distress over the controversy that has erupted from the incident. "This man (Nitish) considers female students as his daughters. It pains me to hear the word 'dispute' in this case. Can there be any row between a father and a daughter?" Khan questioned reporters. He further blamed the media for amplifying the episode, asking "What have you people made out of it?" His comments aimed to downplay the political and social offence taken by many.
The Incident That Sparked the Row
The controversy stems from a video clip from an event held on Monday in Patna at the chief minister's secretariat. The event was organized for distributing appointment letters to newly recruited Ayush doctors. When a woman doctor approached Nitish Kumar to receive her letter, the Chief Minister noticed her hijab. He inquired "what is this" and proceeded to remove the veil from her face before handing over the document. The video quickly went viral, drawing sharp condemnation from parties like the Congress and the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), who labeled it a "vile act."
Uncertain Future for the Doctor
The fallout from the incident has cast doubt on the professional future of the doctor involved. Mahfoozur Rahman, the principal of Patna's Government Tibbi College and Hospital, revealed that the woman's family wishes to avoid intense "media attention." Consequently, she is likely to "reconsider" whether to join her posting at all.
Although Saturday was the official last date for joining, Principal Rahman indicated that the government and the concerned department might treat this as a "special case" and consider extending the deadline. "Ultimately, it is up to her," he stated, adding that the doctor might also choose to pursue higher studies instead of accepting the government job.
He clarified the family's stance, noting they desire her "privacy intact" if she decides to join. The principal also relayed that the doctor's husband has denounced certain media reports, including one about the family traveling to Kolkata, as false. Importantly, Rahman stated that the family is "not angry" with Nitish Kumar or the Bihar government, shifting the blame squarely onto the media frenzy surrounding the event.
The incident has ignited a debate on personal freedom, religious expression, and the conduct of public officials, leaving the doctor's career in limbo while political voices clash over its interpretation.
