Tamil Nadu: BJP man objects to doctor wearing hijab, booked

NAGAPATTINAM: Police have booked a BJP functionary at Thirupoondi in the district for arguing with a doctor of a primary health centre for wearing hijab during duty. As the footage of the incident went viral on social media, police registered a case and are searching for him.
Police said the accused, Bhuvaneshwar Ram of Chinthamani Street, had accompanied his friend Subramani to the PHC around mifnight on Wednesday for some medication for the latter. Duty doctor Janneth Firdhouse examined Subramani and referred him to the Nagapattinam Government Medical College Hospital for further treatment after administering first aid.
However, Bhuvaneshwar Ram picked up a quarrel with the doctor and refused to go to the hospital. He wanted his friend to be treated at the PHC itself. Ram asked Janneth why she was wearing a hijab while on duty and not the doctor's white coat. He allegedly videographed the doctor and other medical staff at the PHC, police said.
When the video of the incident was shared on social media, it went viral. Upon knowing about the incident, local functionaries of political parties including CPM, VCK and Tamil outfits staged a road roko on Velankanni - Tuticorin main road blocking vehicular traffic. They raised slogans demanding the arrest of Ram.
DSP E Balakrishnan and a team of police from Keelaiyur rushed to the spot and persuaded the protesters to disperse. A special police team is searching for Ram after the Keelaiyur police registered a case against him under various IPC sections.