Cleric Issues Ruling Over Bollywood Star Sara Ali Khan Visiting Kedarnath Temple

Bollywood actor Sara Ali Khan has drawn a religious controversy after an Islamic cleric issued a ruling over her recent visit to the Kedarnath Temple. Sara visited the shrine on October 25, where videos and pictures showed her waiting in the regular queue, joining other devotees, and offering prayers with folded hands. Media reports also noted that she took part in the temple puja and aarti and visited the Bhukunt Bhairav Temple during her trip.

Cleric's Reaction

Maulana Mufti Shahabuddin Razvi Barelvi, an Islamic cleric based in Uttar Pradesh, criticized the visit and stated that Islamic Sharia does not allow Muslims to take part in religious practices of another faith. He stated that followers cannot engage in shirk or worship at a temple, calling such actions impermissible and haram under Sharia. The cleric added that Sara should repent before Allah for her actions at the shrine.

Temple Rules And Background

The visit also highlighted the rules set by the Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee for non-Hindu visitors. The committee requires non-Hindu devotees to submit an affidavit before they are allowed to offer prayers at the shrine. Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee CEO Sohan Singh Rangar confirmed that Sara's team submitted the required affidavit prior to her arrival. Sara has a long-standing personal and professional connection to the site, having made her 2018 Bollywood debut in the film Kedarnath alongside the late Sushant Singh Rajput, and has returned to the shrine several times since.

Context

Religious rulings issued by individual scholars reflect their personal interpretations of religious law rather than a uniform stance held by all members of a faith. High-profile public figures frequently face intense public and religious scrutiny over personal choices, including visits to places of worship associated with different traditions.