Bihar governor Arif Mohammad Khan (right) and CM Nitish Kumar (File photo/PTI) NEW DELHI: Bihar governor Arif Mohammad Khan on Saturday defended chief minister Nitish Kumar, who is facing criticism for removing a woman doctor’s “hijab” (veil), saying Kumar considers female students as his own “daughters.”Also Read | CM Nitish Kumar pulls down woman’s hijab at event; Cong, RJD slam ‘vile act'”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 asked.The governor also expressed his “pain” that the incident had turned into a controversy and blamed the media for it.“What have you people made out of it?” he asked reporters.Khan was referring to a video clip which sparked a major political row. The incident took place on Monday in Patna at the chief minister’s secretariat, where Ayush doctors had gathered to receive their letters of appointment. When the woman came up for her letter, Kumar saw her veil, asked “what is this” and then removed the veil.Will the woman doctor report for duty?Meanwhile, Mahfoozur Rahman, principal of Patna’s Government Tibbi College and Hospital, said the doctor’s family wanted to avoid “media attention” and that she would “reconsider” whether to join.Also Read | Nitish Kumar hijab row: SP neta files complaint against Bihar CM, UP ministerAlthough Saturday is the last date for joining, he noted that the government and the department may consider extending the deadline, calling it a “special case.”“Ultimately, it is up to her,” Rahman said, adding that she could also opt for higher studies instead of taking up the posting.According to the principal, the doctor’s family maintained that if she joins, she would do so with her “privacy intact.”“Her husband told us the family is disappointed by the row peddled by the media and has denounced reports of their travel to Kolkata as false,” he stated.He added that the family is “not angry” with Nitish Kumar or the Bihar government.(With PTI inputs)About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosPiyush Goyal Says Congress Policies Suppressed Enterprise And Capped India’s Growth For Decades’Global Order Has Changed Forever, No Single Nation Can Dominate All Issues’: Says EAM JaishankarAssam Tragedy: Rajdhani Express Hits Elephant Herd, Eight Killed, Engine And Coaches DerailSeven Held In Hindu Man’s Lynching in Bangladesh As Yunus Faces Scrutiny Over Minority SafetyUS Thanks Pakistan For Gaza Troop Offer But Islamabad Insists No Final Decision Has Been Taken YetMarco Rubio Hails Donald Trump As Global Peacemaker Amid Dispute Over India Pakistan Ceasefire ClaimChina Reviving Air, Submarine Bases In Bangladesh Amid Unrest, Ex-Envoy Warns Of Strategic TrapUN Warns Bangladesh Against Violence After Protest Leader Osman Hadi Shot, Seeks Accountability Now’Yoga Is Medicine, Not Just Practice’: PM Modi’s Global Message At WHO Traditional Medicine SummitVaping, Bhow-Bhow & Shouting Match: A Look At Viral Moments Of Parl As Chaotic Winter Session Ends123PhotostoriesDipika Kakar’s PET scan comes back normal; Shoaib Ibrahim purchases a swanky new carStruggling With Sleep? Mantra For Your Date Of BirthMumbai vs Navi Mumbai airport: How India’s most congested airport is getting a much-needed breather8 Sweet Potato recipes to warm your soul this winter“I will celebrate you every day, every minute, every second”: Genelia D’Souza’s heartfelt note for Riteish Deshmukh says it all5 morning rituals high-scoring kids usually practice every dayFaster, closer, connected: Chennai’s new Metro and MRTS links await launchBig investment, cleaner commute: Chennai spends Rs 258 crore on EV depot and busesWant to attract good luck on January 1, 2026? Visit these spiritual places according to your birth date’Princess of Jaipur’ Gauravi Kumari’s style era has officially arrived123Hot PicksTom BradyEpstein files releasedTim SaunderGold rate todaySilver rate todayPublic Holidays DecemberBank Holidays DecemberTop TrendingJosh Allen Luxury Car CollectionRandi MahomesAuston MatthewsWho is Nicole LundersJeremy Doku and Shireen Doku Net WorthRBSE Rajasthan Board Exam Time TableWalker Buehlers WifeSibley ScolesAssam Rajdani Express TragedyUS Strikes
NEW DELHI: Bihar governor Arif Mohammad Khan on Saturday defended chief minister Nitish Kumar, who is facing criticism for removing a woman doctor’s “hijab” (veil), saying Kumar considers female students as his own “daughters.”Also Read | CM Nitish Kumar pulls down woman’s hijab at event; Cong, RJD slam ‘vile act’“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 asked.The governor also expressed his “pain” that the incident had turned into a controversy and blamed the media for it.“What have you people made out of it?” he asked reporters.Khan was referring to a video clip which sparked a major political row. The incident took place on Monday in Patna at the chief minister’s secretariat, where Ayush doctors had gathered to receive their letters of appointment. When the woman came up for her letter, Kumar saw her veil, asked “what is this” and then removed the veil.Will the woman doctor report for duty?Meanwhile, Mahfoozur Rahman, principal of Patna’s Government Tibbi College and Hospital, said the doctor’s family wanted to avoid “media attention” and that she would “reconsider” whether to join.Also Read | Nitish Kumar hijab row: SP neta files complaint against Bihar CM, UP ministerAlthough Saturday is the last date for joining, he noted that the government and the department may consider extending the deadline, calling it a “special case.”“Ultimately, it is up to her,” Rahman said, adding that she could also opt for higher studies instead of taking up the posting.According to the principal, the doctor’s family maintained that if she joins, she would do so with her “privacy intact.”“Her husband told us the family is disappointed by the row peddled by the media and has denounced reports of their travel to Kolkata as false,” he stated.He added that the family is “not angry” with Nitish Kumar or the Bihar government.(With PTI inputs)
