Nusrat Jahan Instagram

Kolkata: Bengali movie actress and TMC MP from West Bengal Nusrat Jahan has once again been targeted by Muslim clerics after she participated in a Durga Puja festival at a pandal in south Kolkata on Sunday.

Nusrat, who won the Lok Sabha polls this year, also shared an image of her celebration on Instagram.

A video also surfaced online where Nusrat could be seen dancing to the tunes of dhak (musical instrument associated with Durga Puja and other Hindu festivals) which was being played by her Hindu businessman husband Nikhil.

A cleric from the Darul Uloom Deoband in Uttar Pradesh said Islam does not permit a follower to offer prayers to any God other than Allah, reported Times Now.

“She has been participating in such prayers, there is nothing new in this. However, under Islam, a follower is not allowed to offer prayers to any God other than Allah, this is ‘haram’. She should change her name and religion,” the cleric was quoted as saying by the news channel.

When Mamata Banerjee as a non- Muslim wore hijab&prayed to Allah like other Muslims,Muslim clerics were happy&called her acts secular.But when Nushrat Jahan as a non-Hindu danced & prayed in a puja mandap like other Hindus,Muslim clerics were unhappy&called her acts un Islamic! — taslima nasreen (@taslimanasreen) October 7, 2019

Reacting to the development, Bangladeshi wrier Taslima Nasrin tweeted: "When Mamata Banerjee as a non- Muslim wore hijab&prayed to Allah like other Muslims,Muslim clerics were happy&called her acts secular.But when Nushrat Jahan as a non-Hindu danced & prayed in a puja mandap like other Hindus,Muslim clerics were unhappy&called her acts un Islamic!."

Earlier controversy:

Deoband clerics had earlier issued a fatwa against Nusrat, who married businessman Nikhil Jain earlier this year, stating that a Muslim woman should only marry a man belonging to the community.

Cleric Mufti Asad Wasmi was quoted as saying by Times Now, “After investigation, we got to know that she married into the Jain religion, Islam says that a Muslim can only marry a Muslim. Second, I want to say that Nusrat Jahan is an actor and these actors do not care about religion. They do what they feel like doing. This is what she showcased in Parliament.”

“She came to Parliament with sindoor and mangalsutra, so it is a waste of time to talk about this. We cannot interfere in her life. I just told her what Shariat says with the help of media,” Wasmi added.

Nusrat responded:

Responding to Deoband clerics' fatwa (diktat) against Nusrat Jahan Jain over her marriage with a Hindu businessman, the actress-turned politician had said she represented "an inclusive India".

Issuing a statement on Twitter, Nusrat 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 non should comment on what i choose to wear.. faith is beyond attire.. and is more about believing and practicing the invaluable doctrines of all religions..." (sic)