Dr Nusrat Parween, who came into the spotlight following a hijab-related controversy in Bihar, has officially joined government service after a prolonged delay, officials confirmed.
Civil Surgeon of Banka, Dr Avinash Kumar Singh, said that Dr Parween completed her medical examination on 6 January 2026 and submitted her joining report the same day after receiving medical clearance.
While Dr Singh refrained from making an on-camera statement, citing the sensitivity of the matter, he confirmed that Dr Parween has formally joined her post.
The controversy dates back to 15 December last year, when Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar was distributing appointment letters.
During the event, he was seen attempting to lower Dr Parween’s hijab as she stepped forward to receive her letter.
The incident triggered widespread outrage after a video of the moment went viral on social media, drawing sharp criticism from political parties and civil society groups across the country.
Opposition parties termed the incident an affront to women’s religious identity and personal privacy, and demanded an apology from the Chief Minister. However, Nitish Kumar did not issue any apology.
The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) strongly criticised the Chief Minister’s conduct, calling it inappropriate behaviour towards a woman on a public platform.
The issue kept Bihar’s political atmosphere charged for several days, with Nitish Kumar remaining the primary target of opposition attacks.
Jharkhand Health Minister Irfan Ansari offered Dr Parween a government job with a monthly salary of Rs 3 lakh, a government residence, and a posting of her choice. Dr Parween declined the offer.
The issue also drew international attention after a Pakistan-based gangster reportedly issued a threat against the Chief Minister.
Following the threat, Patna Police registered a case at the cyber police station and sought the removal of the video from social media platforms.
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