Why is the Hijab Row Limited to Just One Woman? BJP MP Questions Jharkhand's Job Offer to AYUSH Doctor
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Jharkhand's job offer has ignited a political controversy.
- Criticism revolves around unequal salary distribution.
- The incident raises questions about gender equality in the workplace.
- Political reactions have extended beyond Bihar.
- Calls for equal treatment for all candidates are intensifying.
Patna, Dec 21 (NationPress) BJP MP Sanjay Jaiswal criticized the Jharkhand government on Sunday regarding its move to appoint Bihar AYUSH doctor Nusrat Praveen with a generous monthly salary of Rs 3 lakh.
He remarked that if such a substantial amount is granted to one person, then it should be accessible to others as well.
Jharkhand's Health Minister, Irfan Ansari, announced on Saturday that he has offered a position with a monthly salary of Rs 3 lakh, inclusive of government housing and preferred posting, to a female doctor from Bihar, in light of the ongoing hijab controversy that surfaced during the appointment letter distribution.
Ansari asserted that Bihar's Chief Minister, Nitish Kumar, attempted to demean the hijab and the Muslim community by asking a woman to remove her veil.
In response, Jaiswal told IANS, "While it's acceptable to offer her a salary of Rs 3 lakh, this privilege should not be restricted to just one woman. Everyone deserves equal treatment."
"Providing only one woman with a Rs 3 lakh salary while others receive Rs 32,000 is a unique action that only the Jharkhand government could undertake," he remarked, expressing his discontent with the decision.
The incident, which was captured on video and widely shared, has ignited a significant political uproar. It occurred on December 20 at the Chief Minister's Secretariat in Patna, where AYUSH doctors were gathered to receive their appointment letters.
During the event, when the woman approached to collect her letter, Nitish Kumar observed her hijab, inquired about it, and insisted she remove it, even lifting the hijab himself.
This footage was circulated by the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and quickly became a political flashpoint.
Opposition parties voiced their concerns, and the controversy sparked discussions not only in Bihar but also in Jharkhand, Jammu and Kashmir, and even across the border in Pakistan.
Clarifying his statements, Governor Arif Mohammad Khan mentioned that he was not defending the Chief Minister but reiterated that Nitish Kumar regards everyone as his daughter.
The Governor also urged Nusrat Parveen to report for duty and requested that political parties refrain from politicizing the matter.
In the meantime, Nusrat Parveen did not report for duty on Saturday.