Kareena Kapoor gets legal notice over 'Quranic' verse on royal pendant worn for Diwali

Bollywood actor Kareena Kapoor Khan has been served a legal notice over a 30-carat emerald pendant inscribed with the Quranic verse Ayat-ul-Kursi, which she wore as part of her Diwali celebrations, following allegations that its presentation had hurt religious sentiments.

The notice, dated November 11, was issued by Congress leader and national media coordinator Abbas Hafeez to Kareena and celebrity stylist Rhea Kapoor, who had styled the actor for the occasion.

Hafeez objected to the manner in which the sacred inscription was displayed in photographs shared on social media and demanded the removal of the posts, a public apology and an assurance that the verse would not be presented in a manner that could compromise its religious sanctity.

The controversy began after Kareena shared photographs of her Diwali attire on Instagram. She wore a beige kaftan designed by Punit Balana, paired with a matching turban featuring a traditional kalgi and an emerald pendant engraved with Ayat-ul-Kursi, the 255th verse of Surah Al-Baqarah in the Quran.

The jewellery belongs to the heritage collection of the erstwhile Bhopal royal family and came into Kareena's possession through her marriage to actor Saif Ali Khan.

𝗥𝗼𝘆𝗮𝗹 𝗳𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

Sharing details of Kareena's festive appearance, Rhea Kapoor described the jewellery as heirloom pieces associated with the Bhopal royal family.

According to the stylist, the actor wore a 200-year-old kalgi belonging to the Nawab of Bhopal and a 30-carat emerald pendant associated with the Begum of Bhopal.

The jewellery's royal connection can be traced through Saif's paternal grandmother, Sajida Sultan, who was the daughter of Hamidullah Khan, the last ruling Nawab of Bhopal.

Sajida Sultan married Iftikhar Ali Khan Pataudi, and their son, Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, was Saif's father.

The heirloom pieces subsequently passed through the family and became part of Kareena's jewellery collection.

𝗢𝗯𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗻𝘁'𝘀 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

In the legal notice, Hafeez clarified that his objection was not directed at Kareena's clothing, personal choices or freedom to wear jewellery.

Instead, he questioned whether the manner in which the Quranic inscription was displayed reflected the reverence traditionally associated with the sacred verse.

The notice referred to differing views among Islamic scholars on wearing jewellery bearing Quranic inscriptions, particularly concerns about preserving the sanctity of religious text.

Hafeez also invoked the historical and cultural legacy of the Begums of Bhopal, arguing that jewellery associated with the former royal family should be presented with sensitivity towards its religious significance.

He claimed that the photographs had caused hurt and concern among some members of the Muslim community and people with historical connections to the erstwhile princely state of Bhopal.

The Congress leader clarified that he had issued the notice in his individual capacity and not on behalf of his political party.

The notice sought the removal of the photographs, videos and related social media posts, along with a public apology. It also warned of possible further legal action if the demands were not addressed.

Neither Kareena Kapoor Khan nor Rhea Kapoor had publicly responded to the notice at the time of reporting.