Muslim cleric slams Nusrat Jahan for marrying a Jain, wearing sindoor; I represent inclusive India, says TMC MP

Newly-elected TMC MP Nusrat Jahan's marriage with a Jain businessman and her wearing a sindoor and bangles became a subject matter of controversy on Saturday. A Saharanpur-based Muslim cleric in UP criticised Jahan for marrying a Jain and wearing sindoor, calling the practices un-Islamic.

"Islam says a Muslim can marry only a Muslim. I have got to know that Nusrat is a film actor and people in the cinema do not care about religious practices. They do what they have to," said Mufti Asad Quasmi of Madrasa Jamia Sheikh-ul-Hind.

He also questioned the parliamentarian's decision to marry a man belonging to Jainism.

Sharing her statement on Twitter, Nusrat said, "Paying heed or reacting to comments made by hardliners of any religion only breeds hatred and violence, and history bears testimony to that."

"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 no one should comment on what I choose to wear.. faith is beyond attire.. and is more about believing and practising the invaluable doctrines of all religions," she said in her statement. 

Sadhvi Prachi slammed the cleric for his statement and hailed the lawmaker, welcoming her into her "community".

"This is a good thing. A woman like Nusrat shall come into our community because their future is secure in our religion. She understands that the Hindu religion respects women," she told media in Muzaffarnagar.

Calling the cleric "cut piece", she said: "These are cut pieces. Their thoughts are dirty. They only talk to hit the new headline."

Jahan was seen sporting 'sindoor' that is traditionally worn by Hindu and Jain women and pink and white saree during her oath-taking in Parliament on June 25. 

She also wore bangles and had her hands covered in beautiful curls and swirls of henna designs.

Not bothered about the controversy regarding Vande Mataraman, Nusrat Jahan after taking the oath said 'Joy Hind, Vande Mataram, Joy Bangla'. She also went to the newly elected speaker's chair and touched feet of Om Birla to seek his blessings. 

Ever since her candidature was announced by the TMC, the Bengali actress was subjected to trolling and hatred on social media for having no political experience or credentials to contest polls.

In May, Jahan and her actor friends Mimi Chakraborty faced backlash on social media over their choice of clothes for their first day in Parliament. 

She was also trolled for missing the oath when the 17th Lok Sabha commenced on June 17 as she had already flown to Bodrum, Turkey for the wedding. Nusrat after exhaustive marriage rituals returned to India on June 23 and came to Lok Sabha for taking oath on June 25.