Legal notice to Kareena Kapoor Khan over Quranic inscription on Bhopal heirloom pendant

Abbas Hafeez, a Bhopal-based Congress figure, has sent a legal notice to actor Kareena Kapoor Khan and her stylist Rhea Kapoor over a Diwali photo post. The images show an emerald pendant said to be a Bhopal royal heirloom, inscribed with the Quranic verse Ayat-ul-Kursi. The notice is a demand, not a court case. Reports say it asks for the posts to be removed and for an apology.

What the notice asks for

The notice is dated November 11 and was sent through lawyer Mohammad Zafar, according to a further report. It seeks the removal of photographs and videos showing the pendant. another report and a further report, citing a report, say it also seeks a public apology. a further report says the apology is to the Muslim community, and another report calls it "unconditional".

Zafar said the notice is a demand for removal. If it is not met, he said, the complainant could go to the police or a court, depending on the remedies available. No filing has been reported. another report says the notice rests on allegations of hurting religious sentiments. The notice text was not available, and the reports name no specific law.

The pendant and its stated history

Rhea Kapoor's Instagram post, quoted by a further report, described the look as a silver kaftan and turban by designer Punit Balana. It named the jewellery as Bhopal royal family heirlooms, including a 30-carat emerald carved with Ayat-ul-Kursi. The post said the pieces came through Saif Ali Khan's family, since his grandmother Sajida Sultan was the daughter of Bhopal's last ruling Nawab.

The reports differ on one detail. a further report describes the pendant as roughly 200 years old. In the post as quoted by a further report, the 200-year age applies to a kalgi, a turban ornament, rather than to the emerald. another report calls the emerald piece a necklace, while most reports say pendant. The age, weight and provenance come from the stylist's post and Hafeez's assertions, and none was independently verified.

Hafeez's argument

Hafeez says he is not objecting to what Kareena wears or to her celebrating Diwali. According to the notice, as reported by a further report, his complaint is that a sacred inscription was shown as a fashion accessory. He told a report it "cannot be used for a fashion parade".

He also argues that the Begums of Bhopal commissioned the piece as an expression of faith, not as ornament, according to a further report. He cited their religious observance and the practice among many Muslims of not touching Quranic text without ablution.

The framing varies between reports. a further report version stresses the attire and the manner of presentation. In the a further report/a report account, Hafeez says the objection is "only to the Quranic verse" and that wearing it on Eid would also have been objectionable.

The notice also says Islamic scholars have expressed reservations about wearing Quranic verses as jewellery. It adds that religious views differ and that any specific scholarly position needs a reference. The reports do not cite any scholar by name.

Political label and counter-response

Hafeez is described variously as national media convener of the Congress, Congress spokesperson, and Madhya Pradesh Congress spokesperson. He says he acted in a personal capacity as a Muslim, and another report reports he said the party has no connection with the matter.

a further report Utsav Samiti has backed Kareena. Its president, Chandrashekhar Tiwari, told a report she does not need to apologise. He compared the pendant to a religious pendant of his own, worn close to the heart.

What is still unknown

Neither Kareena nor Rhea Kapoor had responded publicly as of the reports. It is unclear whether the posts will stay up, whether a police complaint or court case will follow, or whether any religious body will take a position. The reports are not fully independent: a further report draws on a report, and another report cites its own reporting. a further report says some users objected online before the notice, but no such posts are documented.

Questions answered

Has a court case been filed against Kareena Kapoor Khan?

No filing is reported. The reports describe a legal notice demanding removal and an apology. Lawyer Mohammad Zafar said the complainant could approach the police or a court if it is not met.

Is the Congress party behind the notice?

Abbas Hafeez says he sent it in a personal capacity as a member of the community, and another report reports he said the Congress has no connection with the matter.