TN BJP functionary booked for harassing female doctor in hijab
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Chennai: A BJP functionary in Tamil Nadu has been booked by the Keelaiyur police for harassing a female doctor on duty at a community clinic in the Nagapattinam district over her hijab.
The incident, captured in a video that has since gone viral on social media, shows the man, identified as Bhuvaneshwar Ram, engaging in a heated argument with the doctor on duty. The police have reported that Bhuvaneshwar Ram is currently evading arrest.
In the self-recorded video, Bhuvaneshwar Ram can be heard questioning the doctor, saying, "You're on duty, so where is your uniform? Why are you wearing a hijab? Are you really a doctor? Where is the MD doctor? Why isn't she wearing a uniform? Can she even be considered a doctor? And she's sitting cross-legged, wearing a hijab."
The female doctor can be seen responding and filming her own video in retaliation. In her recording, she remarks, "People are speaking disrespectfully at night when there are female staff members around. It's inappropriate for him to record a video of a female doctor without permission."
Police registered three cases against party functionary Bhuvaneswar Ram, who hails from Thirupoondi in the district, questioned the woman doctor for wearing the hijab during duty hours but not donning the white coat and he was heard questioning her credentials in a video of the incident that went viral.
The incident took place inside the Thirupoondi primary health centre in the southern district on May 24 night.
The nursing staff at the PHC, who came to the rescue of the duty doctor, also put out a video of Ram picking up a fight with the doctor.
The BJP worker had taken one Subramanian who complained of discomfort to the PHC for treatment but when he saw the night duty doctor clad in hijab, he started quarrelling with her, police said.
A senior police official told PTI that three cases under Indian Penal Code Sections 294 (b) (uttering obscene words in a public place), 353 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharging duty and 298 (uttering words with deliberate intent to wound the religious feelings) were registered against Ram and a search is underway to trace and arrest him.
With PTI Inputs