Archive · 3 Oct 2026
Doda Hospital Burqa Dispute Prompts Protest, Inquiry and Political Response
Nursing interns at a hospital in Doda protested over wearing burqas in a labour room.
They said a student had been asked to leave because she wore a veil.
One intern also said two students were made to stand outside on Thursday.
The interns stopped working and demonstrated at the hospital.
A hospital official said the doctor had asked them to secure loose clothing and wear gowns for safety rules.
The hospital created a seven-member panel to investigate what happened.
The protest was called off after the hospital administration stepped in.
Politicians also commented on the dispute, including one who said people should be free to choose whether to wear a hijab.
Nursing interns protested at Government Medical College and Hospital, Doda, over alleged restrictions on wearing burqas in the Gynaecology Department’s labour room.
The protest began Wednesday, with interns boycotting work and demonstrating inside the hospital premises.
A protesting intern alleged that a student was told to leave the labour room for wearing a veil and said two students were made to stand outside on Thursday.
Medical superintendent Dr Irfan Tassaduq said Dr Madhu Chib had asked interns to secure loose clothing and wear gowns under labour-room and operating-theatre protocols.
The hospital formed a seven-member inquiry panel; the dispute was called off, while Doda legislator Mehraj Malik and National Conference spokesperson Tanvir Sadiq raised the issue.
- Who
- Nursing interns, Dr Madhu Chib, hospital officials, and political figures including Mehraj Malik and Tanvir Sadiq.
- What
- Interns protested alleged restrictions on wearing burqas in the labour room; the hospital formed an inquiry panel.
- When
- The protest began Wednesday; an intern said two students were made to stand outside on Thursday.
- Where
- Government Medical College and Hospital, Doda.
- Why
- Interns alleged a student was moved out for wearing a veil; the medical superintendent said the doctor was enforcing clothing and hygiene protocols.
Interns and religious-choice advocates
Hospital protocol explanation
Why students were kept out of the labour room
Interns and religious-choice advocates
A protesting intern alleged that students were excluded for wearing veils and called this interference in religious matters.
Hospital protocol explanation
Medical superintendent Dr Irfan Tassaduq said Dr Chib asked interns to secure loose clothing and wear gowns under labour-room and operating-theatre protocols, citing infection risks.
Clothing and personal choice
Interns and religious-choice advocates
Tanvir Sadiq said choosing whether to wear a hijab is a matter of personal choice and autonomy.
Hospital protocol explanation
The hospital official described the request as a protocol and hygiene measure; Dr Chib had not commented on the allegation.
- Hospital
- Government Medical College and Hospital, Doda
- Department
- Gynaecology Department
- Protest
- Nursing interns boycotted work and demonstrated on Wednesday
- Interns' allegation
- A student was asked to leave the labour room for wearing a veil; an intern also cited two students being kept outside on Thursday
- Hospital explanation
- Dr Irfan Tassaduq said Dr Madhu Chib asked interns to secure loose clothing and wear gowns under room protocols
- Inquiry
- The administration set up a seven-member panel
- Political response
- Mehraj Malik took up the matter with Health Minister Sakina Itoo; Tanvir Sadiq said religious practice is constitutionally protected
