Irfan Ansari’s Offer to Nusrat Parveen Sparks Political Debate

Ranchi: The ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) on Sunday distanced itself from Health Minister Irfan Ansari’s statement offering a job to Muslim doctor Nusrat Parveen, who was reportedly harassed by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar at a public event in Patna last week. JMM spokesperson Manoj Pandey clarified that no provision allows a minister to offer a job with a salary of ₹3 lakh per month.

Job Offer Controversy
The JMM spokesperson stated, “I don’t think any minister has the authority to provide a ₹3 lakh-per-month job. However, the issue being sidelined deserves discussion.” He emphasized that the minister’s statement was personal. Responding to Ansari’s remarks, the party invited the doctor to Jharkhand and extended an offer of employment with a ₹3 lakh monthly salary. Ansari had announced in Jamtara on Saturday that he had offered the doctor a job with full security, a preferred posting, a flat, and a salary of ₹3 lakh per month.

Minister’s Statement
Ansari’s comments came in response to the December 15 incident in Patna, where Chief Minister Nitish Kumar allegedly pulled off the veil (burqa) of a newly recruited AYUSH doctor while she was receiving her appointment letter. The minister accused Kumar of attempting to insult the hijab and the Muslim community through this act. Without naming anyone, Ansari compared the incident with Jharkhand’s governance, stating, “This is Jharkhand. Our administration is sensitive, inclusive, and based on respect for human dignity.”

Dr. Nusrat Parveen, based in Kolkata, was among the ten AYUSH doctors who had arrived at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat on December 15 to receive their appointment letters.

Hijab Incident Sparks Outrage
During the incident, the 75-year-old Chief Minister allegedly pointed at Parveen’s burqa in surprise and pulled it down, exposing her face. The act drew widespread criticism, with many accusing Nitish Kumar of disrespecting Muslim traditions, reportedly in line with the “RSS agenda.” Meanwhile, former BJP minister CP Singh alleged potential links between the doctor and Al-Falah University in Haryana, which is under investigation for connections with a white-collar terrorist module. Singh demanded an NIA investigation and asserted that Ansari represents the health ministry for all communities, not just one, claiming that certain groups aim to establish “Ghazwa-e-Hind.”