There have been instances in Bharat where Muslims who engage in Hindu rituals or adopt Hindu cultural practices face abuse and criticism from within their own Muslim community. This internal backlash often stems from a variety of factors. Some segments of the Muslim community adhere to more orthodox interpretations of Islam, viewing syncretic practices as a deviation from core Islamic tenets.
The report given below covers 17 notable incidents where individuals identified as Islamists engaged in harassment against fellow Muslims for their participation in Hindu traditions and festivals. This compilation sheds light on the internal pressures some Muslims face when they choose to embrace or engage with Hindu cultural practices.
Hina Khan faces Islamist backlash for spiritual exploration
Television actress Hina Khan, currently battling stage three breast cancer, recently shared her “soul-awakening” experience after attending Sri Sri Ravi Shankar’s Art of Living sessions in Bengaluru. She described the journey as deeply reconnecting her with her inner self and consciousness. Hina Khan faced significant abuse from Islamist extremists on social media following her participation in Sri Sri Ravi Shankar’s Art of Living session. Comments from Instagram users included condemnations such as “Munafiq pe laanat ho” (Curse upon the hypocrite), “Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un” (Indeed we belong to Allah, and to Him we return), and “Namaz parle yoga se behtar hai” (Praying is better than yoga).
Mammootty faces backlash after Mohanlal’s Usha Puja at Sabarimala
Renowned Malayalam actor Mohanlal performed Usha Puja at the Sabarimala temple for the well-being of his close friend and colleague, Mammootty. The two actors have shared a friendship for over three decades and have worked together on approximately 55 films. This gesture, intended as a personal act of friendship and well-wishing, sparked controversy among certain Islamist groups who deemed it “anti-Islamic.” Consequently, Mammootty faced significant backlash on social media, despite not having directly participated in the ritual himself. The criticism was directed at him for being the beneficiary of a Hindu religious ceremony performed by a Hindu friend.
Sara Ali Khan targeted by Islamists for Ganesh Chaturthi celebration
Bollywood actress Sara Ali Khan posted a picture with a murti of Bhagwan Ganesha on the occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi, a widely celebrated Hindu festival. This act of cultural participation led to a torrent of online abuse against Khan from certain Islamist elements. She faced derogatory terms like “Kutiya” (bitch), “Laanat” (curse/disgrace), “Shirk” (idolatry, associating partners with God), and “Qafir” (infidel). This vitriolic reaction has become an “annual ritual” for Khan, who is frequently targeted for celebrating Hindu festivals. One particularly aggressive Instagram user even questioned whether she would be “buried or cremated after death,” highlighting the extreme nature of the backlash.
Gudi Padwa celebration sparks Islamist hate for Zaheer Khan
Indian cricketer Zaheer Khan, along with his Hindu wife Sagarika Ghatge, celebrated Gudi Padwa, the traditional New Year for Marathi and Konkani Hindus. They shared pictures of their celebration on social media. Zaheer Khan’s participation in his wife’s cultural tradition drew sharp criticism and hate comments from Islamist users. One user, identified as Muzaffar Khan, explicitly called Zaheer Khan a “blind devotee” for celebrating Gudi Padwa and made disparaging remarks, stating, “What do you get by worshiping stones and indulging in crime.”
Here are the re-written cases, maintaining the inclination towards a right-wing perspective
Soha Ali Khan faces Islamist fury for Holi celebration
Bollywood actress Soha Ali Khan shared a video reel of her family, including her husband Kunal Khemu and their daughter, celebrating the Hindu festival of Holi. Her caption simply wished everyone a “Happy Holi.”
This seemingly innocuous act of familial joy and cultural participation ignited a firestorm of abuse from Islamists online. Comments on her post were vitriolic, including one particularly aggressive statement: “Your father ruined the family by marrying an Qafir and the result is you and your brothers and sisters who are away from Islam. They will have to answer for this in the grave.”
Muslim woman threatened for singing bhajans in Mathura
Shabnam Shaikh, a Muslim woman from Mumbai, visited Mathura and openly celebrated Janmashtami, the birth of Bhargwan Krishna, by singing bhajans and kirtans.
Shaikh’s participation in Hindu devotional singing deeply angered some Islamists, leading to severe backlash. Not only were complaints reportedly filed against her, but she also received horrifying threats of rape and murder.
Islamist trolls Zaheer Khan for celebrating Deepawali
Former Indian fast bowler Zaheer Khan shared a picture on social media on the day of Deepawali, India’s festival of lights, wishing everyone “a very happy Deepawali from our side.” Khan’s simple Diwali greeting, a common gesture across diverse communities in India, provoked condemnation from Islamist users. One prominent comment from a user named M Israr Khan stated, “As a Muslim you cannot celebrate this festival. May Allah show you the right path.”
Islamist trolls abuse Rubika Liaquat for embracing Hindu tradition
ABP News anchor Rubika Liaquat celebrated Dhanteras, a Hindu festival associated with wealth and new beginnings, particularly significant around Deepawali. She posted about her experience, noting that “Ramlala called and we were present… shopping of utensils took place in Ayodhya on Dhanteras.” Liaquat’s participation in and open acknowledgement of a Hindu festival, especially in Ayodhya, drew immediate and severe abuse from Islamists.
Hina Khan’s Durga Puja visit sparks outrage among Islamist extremists
Television actress Hina Khan posted pictures of herself at a Durga Puja pandal, participating in the Hindu festival of devotion to Maa Durga. Her celebration of Durga Puja, a widely revered Hindu festival, ignited a firestorm of abuse from Islamists online. She faced “massive abuse,” with some even demanding a fatwa against her.
Islamists troll Mohammed Shami for posting Dussehra greetings
Indian cricketer Mohammed Shami tweeted a Dussehra greeting, stating: “On the happy occasion of Dussehra, I pray that Lord Ram fills your life with lots of happiness, prosperity, and success. Happy Dussehra to you and your family.” Shami’s well-wishing for a Hindu festival, incorporating a prayer to Bhagwan Ram, provoked immediate outrage from Islamist trolls. Akil Bhatti sternly questioned, “Shame on you Shami. Are you a Muslim?”
Islamist extremists slam Warina Hussain for participating in Ganpati Puja
Actress Warina Hussain performed Ganpati Puja, a devotional ritual for Bhagwan Ganesha, and subsequently faced taunts and abuse from certain Islamists online. Her participation in the Hindu festival provoked immediate and harsh criticism. One user cynically wrote, “She will bend anywhere for money,” implying her actions were driven by monetary gain rather than genuine spiritual or cultural interest.
Fatwa issued against Muslim woman for installing Ganesha murti in her home
Ruby Asif Khan, a Muslim woman, installed an murti of Bhagwan Ganesha in her home and performed worship during Ganesh Chaturthi. Her act of devotion to Bhagwan Ganesha, a Hindu deity, led to the extreme step of a fatwa being issued against her by the Mufti of Deoband, a prominent Islamic seminary.
Islamist trolls Shah Rukh Khan for sharing Ganesha murti picture
Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan shared a picture of an murti of Bhagwan Ganesha on Twitter to mark the occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi. Khan’s seemingly innocent and inclusive gesture of celebrating a major Hindu festival triggered backlash from Islamist users. A Twitter user named Sadique Srd critically asked, “Till when will you upset Allah just for the sake of making others happy?”
Islamists slam Soha Ali Khan for celebrating Raksha Bandhan with Saif Ali Khan
Soha Ali Khan shared multiple pictures of her celebrating Raksha Bandhan, a Hindu festival symbolising the bond between siblings, by tying a Rakhi to her brother Saif Ali Khan. Her public celebration of Raksha Bandhan did not sit well with some Islamists, who subjected her to fierce abuse. One user angrily questioned, “What are you guys? Neither Muslim nor Hindu, are you people?”
Islamist trolls target Farhan Akhtar for wishing Happy Deepawali
Actor and film director Farhan Akhtar posted a picture on Instagram celebrating Deepawali, the Hindu festival of lights, with the caption “Happy Deepawali.”
Akhtar’s simple Deepawali greeting sparked a furious backlash from Islamists online. A user named Harish Khan launched a particularly aggressive attack, stating that such celebrations are “not allowed in Islam” and abusing Akhtar, calling him “Muslims by name” who “do not have any religion or faith”.
Islamists slam Shah Rukh Khan for participating in Hindu festival
Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan shared a picture on Instagram to congratulate his followers on Deepawali. The photo featured him, his wife Gauri Khan, and their younger son AbRam, all three sporting a ’tilak’ on their foreheads. Khan’s public celebration of Deepawali, particularly with the inclusion of the tilak, drew immediate and severe condemnation from Islamists. One user commented, “Man of Allah, you have to die with some shame,” a direct and shaming admonishment challenging his faith.
Islamist extremists slam Irfan Pathan for embracing Hindu tradition
Former Indian cricketer Irfan Pathan shared a picture of himself with a Rakhi tied on his wrist on social media, wishing his fans on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan, a Hindu festival symbolising the bond between siblings. Pathan’s participation in Raksha Bandhan and his public display of it triggered sharp criticism from Islamist users.
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