First time elected TMC MP Nusrat Jahan faced severe backlash during the oath-taking ceremony in Parliament on June 25 for not wearing burqa but applying sindoor and sporting a mangalsutra. A Muslim cleric group issued a fatwa to Nusrat for following “un-Islamic” practices. The actress turned politician paid no heed to the fatwa and said she represents an "inclusive India". Jumping to her support, her best friend and TMC MP Mimi Chakraborty, as well as singer, turned BJP MP Babul Supriyo supported her for rejecting the religious edict.
"Everybody has the right to a lifestyle choice. No one can issue any fatwa on one's personal choices. I will congratulate Nusrat who married recently. I saw her in Parliament and she sported bangles and vermilion, which is her own choice and she carried herself well. She is doing the right thing. Her reply to this fatwa was bold and I appreciate it. I am happy she rejected such diktat," Supriyo told during an interview with media.
Nusrat Jahan during her oath-taking ceremony in Parliament
"I have supported and will support my friend whether she wears vermilion or bangles. One must respect one's personal life. In fact, we were trolled for even donning jeans. Women should be given respect and we represent the country," Nusrat's friend Mimi quoted.
Nusrat married businessman Nikhil Jain in an elaborate wedding in Bodrum, Turkey on June 19. In response to the fatwa issued, Nusrat, on Twitter, said, "I represent an inclusive India, which is beyond the barriers of caste, creed and religion. As much as I respect all religions, I still remain a Muslim and no one should comment on what I choose to wear."
Paying heed or reacting to comments made by hardliners of any religion only breeds hatred and violence, and history bears testimony to that.. #NJforInclusiveIndia #Youthquake #secularIndia pic.twitter.com/mHmINQiYzj
— Nusrat (@nusratchirps) June 29, 2019
(Source: Twitter/ Inputs from IANS)
