At Jammu hospital, row over burqa ‘restrictions’, and an inquiry

A dispute has arisen at the Government Medical College and Hospital in Doda over restrictions on nursing interns wearing burqas in the gynaecology department's labour room. Nursing interns protested on Wednesday, accusing Head of the Gynaecology Department, Dr. Madhu Chib, of objecting to their burqa-wearing. Several interns walked out of work and gathered outside the hospital.

Dr. Chib has not responded to the accusation. However, she claimed that on Thursday, two students were sent out of the labour room due to their burqa-wearing, which she deemed interference in their religious practices. The hospital administration intervened, calling off the protest following Dr. Chib's clarification that her objection was not religious but hygiene-related in sensitive areas like labour rooms and operation theatres.

The hospital has set up a seven-member panel to investigate the incident. Dr. Irfan Tassaduq, the in-charge medical superintendent, said the protest resulted from a "miscommunication" where Dr. Chib asked interns to wear a gown over their clothes to maintain hygiene protocols in sensitive areas. Political leaders have reacted to the situation.

Doda MLA Mehraj Malik discussed the matter with Health Minister Sakina Itoo, while Tanvir Sadiq, a spokesperson for the ruling National Conference, expressed concern over the Constitution's guarantee of citizens' right to freely practice their religion, stating that no one should impose restrictions on personal choice. This is not the first controversy for Dr. Chib; she had filed a police complaint against Aam Aadmi Party MLA Malik in the previous year, alleging abusive and gendered remarks on social media.

Malik denied the allegations, accusing Dr. Chib of practicing privately at a local nursing home during official duty hours.