Nusrat Jahan with her husband Nikhil Jain

MEERUT: A Deoband-based cleric has slammed All India Trinamool Congress MP Nusrat Jahan for taking part in Durga Puja celebrations in Kolkata, calling it “un-Islamic” and suggested that the Bengali film actor-turned-politician “change her name and religion”.

TV channels showed her lip-syncing to hymns being recited by a priest, her eyes closed and hands folded in solemn prayer. She also beat a drum and danced joyously.

Reacting strongly to Nusrat’s participation in the festival, Mufti Asad Qasmi, vice-president of Ittehad Ulema-i-Hind said on Monday that her action has “brought a bad name to Islam” and she was “defaming Muslims and their religion”.

Qasmi further said, “It is clearly mentioned in Islam that a Muslim can worship only one God and no other entity. By flouting this fundamental tenet, Nusrat Jahan has brought a bad name to Islam. It is better she changes her name and religion.”

“This is not the first time she has celebrated puja. She has done it in the past too. Her act is ‘haram’ [sinful] in the eyes of Islam. I reiterate she must change her name when she is doing everything against the tenets of Islam,” the cleric added.

This is not the first time the controversial cleric has made such irresponsible remarks. In June, he had said, “It is against Islamic culture and Muslims should avoid embracing each other on Eid.”

Nusrat later told journalists that she had prayed for peace and prosperity of all. “In Bengal, we celebrate all festivals together. I always enjoy being part of the celebrations,” she said.

“I don’t bother about controversies. Controversies touch me? No,” the actor, who has often insisted she represents an “inclusive India”, said, when asked about whether her celebrating Durga Puja will set off a fresh row.

Earlier this year, the young lawmaker from Basirhat was in the line of fire of several Muslim hardliners for marrying an entrepreneur Nikhil Jain - “outside her religion”. Nusrat was also criticised when during her oath as a Member of Parliament she decided to wear a sari along with ‘ sindoor ’ and ‘mangalsutra’. But the actor had again responded to criticism, asserting she represented an “inclusive India”.

“I represent an inclusive India which is beyond the barriers of caste and creed and religion as much as I respect all religions,” the Trinamool MP had said.

(With Inputs from Agencies)

