MUMBAI: Bollywood actress Kareena Kapoor Khan has found herself at the centre of a controversy after the historic jewellery she wore during Diwali celebrations attracted widespread attention on social media. The main focus was a nearly 200-year-old royal pendant featuring the Quranic verse Ayat-ul-Kursi.
According to Indian media reports, Congress leader and National Media Coordinator Abbas Hafeez has sent a legal notice to Kareena Kapoor and celebrity stylist Rhea Kapoor, raising objections to the way the sacred jewellery was presented on social media.
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The notice reportedly argues that the attire and manner in which the pendant bearing a Quranic inscription was displayed did not reflect the level of religious reverence it deserved.
Dated November 11, the legal notice calls for the removal of the relevant photographs, videos and posts from social media accounts under their control. It also seeks a public apology and an assurance that the sacred inscription will not be presented in a manner that could compromise its religious sanctity in the future.
Rhea Kapoor, who styled Kareena for the Diwali appearance, had shared details of the actress’s outfit and jewellery in an Instagram post.
According to her description, Kareena wore a pure silver kaftan and a turban, along with a nearly 200-year-old royal accessory associated with the Nawab and Begum of Bhopal. The jewellery also included a 30-carat emerald engraved with Ayat-ul-Kursi.
Why Was Kareena Kapoor’s Outfit Questioned in the Legal Notice?
The legal notice reportedly clarifies that the complainant does not intend to interfere with Kareena Kapoor’s or Rhea Kapoor’s personal clothing choices, lifestyle or freedom to wear jewellery.
However, it maintains that when an item bearing a sacred Quranic verse is worn and publicly displayed, the overall presentation, including the attire and the context of social media posts, should reflect appropriate religious respect.
According to the notice, the manner in which the pendant was presented in the photographs and posts did not demonstrate the level of reverence expected for a sacred Quranic inscription such as Ayat-ul-Kursi.
The notice further refers to reservations expressed by some Islamic scholars regarding the use of Quranic verses in jewellery. It states that preserving the sanctity of such inscriptions and avoiding situations in which they could be treated disrespectfully are important considerations.
However, it also acknowledges that religious scholars may hold differing views on the matter.
How Did Kareena Kapoor Get the Historic Bhopal Royal Jewellery?
The pendant’s connection to the Bhopal royal family is linked to Kareena Kapoor’s husband, Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan, and his ancestral family background.
Sajida Sultan, the daughter of Bhopal’s last ruling Nawab, Hamidullah Khan, was Saif Ali Khan’s paternal grandmother. She married Iftikhar Ali Khan Pataudi, and their son, Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, was Saif’s father.
According to reports, the valuable jewellery associated with the former Bhopal royal family was passed down through generations before eventually becoming part of Saif Ali Khan’s family collection.
The historic pendant worn by Kareena during the Diwali celebrations has therefore attracted attention not only for its royal heritage and valuable craftsmanship but also for the religious inscription that has now become the centre of a legal controversy.
