J&K: Burqa restriction allegations spark protest at Doda medical college; ‘Allahu Akbar, Nara-e-Takbeer’ slogans raised

A burqa controversy has erupted at Government Medical College, Doda, after nursing students and medical interns alleged that they were restricted from entering the labour room while wearing burqas and abayas during clinical training.

NewsBharati    02-Oct-2026 19:22:31 PM
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A controversy over burqa has emerged at Government Medical College (GMC), Doda, after students protested against an alleged restriction on wearing burqas and abayas inside the labour room during clinical training.
 
Jammu Burqa protest
Screengrab from Viral Video , (Image - X)
 
The protest was held on September 30 after nursing students and medical interns claimed that Dr Madhu Chib, Head of the Department of Gynaecology, had asked students wearing burqas or abayas to leave the labour room. The students also alleged that, on some occasions, they were denied entry to her office.
 
During the protest, slogans including “Allahu Akbar” and “Nara-e-Takbeer” were raised, bringing a religious dimension to the dispute that began over mere dress restrictions following model code of conduct.
 
Students claim they were asked to remove abayas
 
According to a written complaint submitted to the college administration, the students alleged that they were asked either to remove their abayas or wear aprons instead while entering the labour room.
 
 
 
The students further alleged that the professor had expressed opposition to burqas. One student, identified in media reports as Iqra, questioned why students were being asked to give up the burqa and demanded an apology.
 
She said, “Why are we being asked to shun the burqa? She openly says she dislikes burqas. We demand an apology from the doctor.”
 
The protesting students also questioned whether hygiene was genuinely the reason behind the alleged restriction. They argued that if the concern was cleanliness or infection control, other issues relating to clinical hygiene should also be addressed consistently rather than singling out religious clothing.
 
However, the allegations have not yet been independently established.
 
Eight member panel to examine complaint
 
Following the written complaint, the GMC administration constituted an eight-member inquiry committee to examine the matter.
 
The committee is headed by Dr Garima Charak, Head of the Department of Physiology, and has been asked by the Medical Superintendent to conduct a free and fair inquiry and submit its report within two days.
 
The inquiry is expected to establish what instructions were actually given to the students, whether any dress-code or hygiene protocol applied in the labour room, and whether the alleged restrictions were based on an institutional rule or another consideration.
 
Police ask students to keep protest focused
 
A senior police officer also spoke to the protesting students following the controversy. A video of the interaction later circulated on social media.
 
 
The officer urged the students to keep their protest focused on the allegations and the inquiry. During the exchange, he said, “This is a hospital, not an Islamic one,” while stressing that the facility serves people from all communities. The officer had to say this as the protesting students started raising Islamic slogans which are usually used as war cry, “Nara-e-Takbeer, Allahu Akbar.”
 
The officer also indicated that police action, including registration of an FIR, would depend on the findings of the inquiry and whether a cognisable offence was established.
 
Religious attire and hospital protocol in focus
 
The controversy has now raised a wider question over how religious attire is treated in clinical environments.
 
Hospitals and labour rooms have specific hygiene and infection-control requirements, and healthcare workers and trainees may be required to use protective clothing depending on the procedure and clinical setting.
 
At the same time, the students complaint centres on whether the alleged restriction specifically targeted religious attire rather than being part of a uniformly applied clinical protocol.
 
At present, the available information does not establish whether GMC Doda has a formally approved rule concerning burqas or abayas in the labour room, or whether the instruction was based on just medical and hygiene requirement.
 
Doda MLA raises the matter
 
The controversy has also reached the political level, with Doda legislator Meraj Malik reportedly raising the issue with Jammu and Kashmir Health Minister Sakina Itoo and seeking a resolution.
 
For now, the focus remains on the inquiry committee's report. The allegations against Dr Chib have not been established.
 
The committee's findings will determine whether the alleged conduct amounted to a violation of institutional rules, whether the students were subjected to discriminatory treatment or instructions were connected to clinical and hygiene requirements.