Actress Soha Ali Khan who plays a Sikh woman in her forthcoming 31st October, has silenced those who trolled her for visiting the Golden Temple in Amritsar and a Ganpati Pandal. According to her critics, she was being a Muslim, her actions tantamounted to being disloyal to her religion. The trolls also passed sexist, insensitive and derogatory comments about her gender and her marital life (Soha is married to Kunal Khemu, a Hindu).
However, Soha, lashed out at the trolls and said in a statement, “My religion is my business alone. Whether I choose to do namaz or go to a church, how does it affect anyone? People shouldn’t bother about what’s not their business. I am all for freedom of expression, but being told how going to a temple makes me a non-Muslim is plain callous. No one has the right to say that. I am not a commodity and so, a particular community cannot own me. Our social fabric is so rich because we are diverse. Respect each other’s choices. That’s the culture India signifies, not the one of hatred that people commenting on my timeline are trying to propagate. I try not to be affected by it and frankly, as long as no one is coming into my private space or harming me physically, I don’t care. But those who are desperate to have an opinion on my life, at least try to have an educated one."
Adds Harry Sachdeva, producer of 31st October, "Festive season teaches us love, brotherhood and celebration. When I talk about respecting religions and humanity, I act upon it, this should not invite extremely derogatory comments made upon Soha and her personal life. The real shame should be upon those who abuse the respect and who use derogatory language for women. If you don't agree with her, then don't but that gives you no right to abuse and vilify Soha for promoting humanity and respect for all religions.”
