Bollywood actress Swara Bhasker has landed herself in another social media controversy after her photos with Islamic scholar Maulana Sajjad Nomani went viral online.
Swara, accompanied by her husband Fahad Ahmad, visited Nomani at his office on Saturday. The politician later shared photos from the meeting on his social media handles, captioning it as, “In the service of Maulana Sajjad Nomani, and he showered us with lots of blessings.”
In the photos that later went viral, Swara was seen in a peach salwar suit with her dupatta worn around her head. Fahad, on the other hand, was seen in a white kurta-pyjama.
The photos in question soon drew backlash from social media users who slammed the actress for meeting the Maulana, known for his controversial remarks opposing ‘unsupervised education for girls’. Accusing the actress of ‘double standards‘, netizens pointed out the contradictions between her feminist advocacy for women’s rights and her meeting with a figure who besides opposing women’s education, also spoke against interfaith relationships.
One tweet read, “Swara Bhaskar is known for mouthing platitudes about ‘feminism’ and women’s empowerment. Yet she chose to meet Sajjad Nomani, who is opposed to sending girls to schools and colleges.”
Another tweeted, “I respect choices. She decides her clothes, spouse, politics and religion. But I will point out her hypocrisy. Lady screams feminism from rooftops but proudly poses with a man who denounces women education & supports Taliban. All for votes.”
“Ultra feminist Swara Bhasker receives blessings from Deobandi pro-Taliban fundamentalist Maulana Sajjad Nomani, who opposes girls’ education and interfaith marriages. Does @ReallySwara, who embraced an interfaith relationship, endorse his views?” said another.
Swara, who married Fahad Ahmad, a leader in the Samajwadi Party last year. The couple’s daughter, Raabiya, was born later that year on 23 September.
Swara has yet to respond to the controversy.
Swara Bhasker Faces Social Media Backlash After Maulana Sajjad Nomani Meeting
