Legal Notice to Kareena Kapoor Over Royal Pendant Sparks Religious Controversy

Mumbai: Bollywood actress Kareena Kapoor Khan is embroiled in a legal dispute regarding her Diwali look. A legal notice has been sent to the actress for wearing a royal pendant made of 30-carat emerald on which Ayat-ul-Kursi of the Quran is written. This notice has been sent by Madhya Pradesh Congress leader and National Media Coordinator Abbas Hafeez. In this, along with Kareena, answers have also been sought from her stylist Rhea Kapoor. The notice demands removal of the photos and videos shared on social media, a public apology and taking care of the sanctity of the religious verse in future.

What is the whole controversy?

Kareena Kapoor shared some pictures on her Instagram account on the occasion of Diwali. In these pictures, she was seen wearing a beige-coloured kaftan prepared by designer Puneet Balana and a matching turban. Along with her traditional look, a special pendant was also seen, which has now created controversy. It is made of about 30 carats of emerald and the Ayat-ul-Kursi of the Quran is engraved on it. This is considered one of the sacred verses of Islam. After the pictures surfaced, this pendant was made a topic of discussion on social media and now the matter has reached legal notice.

What was the objection raised in the notice?

In the notice sent by Abbas Hafeez, it has been said that he has no objection to Kareena's freedom to wear clothes, personal choice or jewellery. Their protest is specifically about the way the holy verse of the Quran is displayed as a fashion accessory. According to the notice, when any jewellery has religious verses inscribed on it, its dignity and sanctity should be kept in mind while wearing it and displaying it in public. Hafeez alleges that the manner in which the pendant was shown in Kareena's photographs has hurt religious sentiments.

Where did this royal pendant come from?

This pendant belongs to the former Nawabi family of Bhopal. Kareena's stylist Rhea Kapoor had said in a social media post that the jewellery worn by the actress is part of the heritage of the Pataudi family. Saif Ali Khan's grandmother Sajida Sultan was the daughter of Hamidullah Khan, the last Nawab of Bhopal. She was married to Iftikhar Ali Khan Pataudi. His son Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi was the father of Saif Ali Khan. As part of this family legacy, these royal jewels have been passed down from generation to generation. Rhea Kapoor had described the pendant as a 200-year-old heritage related to the Begum of Bhopal.

Did Kareena and Rhea give any answer?

At present, no official response has come from Kareena Kapoor and Rhea Kapoor on this legal notice. In the notice, a public apology has been demanded from both of them along with removal of photos and videos. Abbas Hafeez has also clarified that he has taken this step not on behalf of the Congress Party, but in his personal capacity. On the other hand, the Hindu Utsav Committee has supported Kareena in the matter and has raised questions on the demand for apology. This controversy has now sparked a new debate about religious symbols, family heritage and their use in fashion.