Kareena Kapoor’s Ayat-ul-Kursi Pendant Controversy: Will Feminist Voices Speak Up for Her?

NewsBharati    12-Nov-2026 16:15:18 PM
Total Views |
New Delhi , November 12 : Bollywood actor Kareena Kapoor Khan's Diwali 2026 appearance has sparked a debate over religious expression, personal choice and the use of religious symbols in fashion. While a Congress spokesperson has issued a legal notice seeking the removal of her social media photographs featuring a 30-carat emerald pendant inscribed with Ayat-ul-Kursi, the Hindu Utsav Samiti has extended its support to the actress.
 
Kareena Kapoor’s Ayat-ul-Kursi Pendant Controversy
 
The controversy has also raised questions about the reactions of prominent feminist voices, including Rana Ayyub and Arfa Khanum Sherwani. Their responses, if any, to the controversy will be closely watched, particularly in light of the public debate surrounding actor Kriti Sanon's appearance in a bra for a Raksha Bandhan advertisement.
 
Kareena's festive look featured a silver kaftan, a matching turban and a historic emerald pendant associated with the royal family of Bhopal. The jewellery, reportedly a 200-year-old heirloom, belonged to the Begums of Bhopal and carries the Quranic verse Ayat-ul-Kursi.
 
Sharing details of the outfit, celebrity stylist Rhea Kapoor described the jewellery as an heirloom passed down through Kareena's husband Saif Ali Khan's family. She stated that Saif's grandmother, Sajida Sultan, was the daughter of the last ruling Nawab of Bhopal. The pendant reportedly belonged to the Bhopal royal family and is part of Kareena's personal collection.
 
However, Congress spokesperson Abbas Hafeez objected to the presentation of the pendant on social media. He argued that the Quranic inscription was a sacred religious verse and should not be used as a fashion accessory.
 
 
 
"There is no objection to what anyone chooses to wear. There is no controversy over that. However, Kareena Kapoor shared a post on her social media handles on Diwali in which she was wearing and flaunting this pendant. This is a historic pendant of Bhopal associated with Islamic heritage. It cannot be used for a fashion parade," Hafeez said.
 
He clarified that his objection was not related to Kareena celebrating Diwali or choosing her outfit, but specifically to the Quranic inscription on the pendant. He added that the same objection would have applied even if she had worn it during Eid.
 
Advocate Mohammad Zafar, representing Hafeez, said a legal notice had been issued demanding the removal of the photographs from social media. He added that further legal action, including approaching the police or a court, could be considered if the demand was not met.
 
Meanwhile, the Hindu Utsav Samiti has come out in support of Kareena and rejected demands for an apology. Its president, Chandrashekhar Tiwari, said the actress had the freedom to follow her traditions and celebrate Diwali.
Drawing a comparison with his own religious pendant featuring Goddess Bhagwati, Tiwari questioned why wearing a religious symbol close to one's heart should invite objections.
 
He also maintained that Kareena did not need to apologise and confirmed the support of the Hindu Utsav Samiti and Sanskriti Bachao Manch.
 
The controversy has brought the discussion back to the question of personal choice and the consistency of public reactions to women's clothing and religious expression. Whether prominent feminist commentators who have spoken about women's freedom of choice in previous controversies will also address the criticism directed at Kareena remains to be seen.


Kareena Kapoor Khan Arfa Khanum Sherwani Saif Congress Bhopal Eid Hindu Utsav