Nusrat Jahan Uploads Photo as Goddess Durga, Receives Death Threats

Actor and Member of Parliament Nusrat Jahan is no stranger to receiving death threats on social media. Since she entered politics as a Trinamool MP from West Bengal a year ago she has been endlessly trolled for her choice of clothing, her political opinions, and even for celebrating Hindu festivals.

Over the last week the trolls have sprung into action once again, after Jahan posted a photo of herself dressed as Goddess Durga on Instagram. Jahan, who is a Muslim woman, recently uploaded the photo, in which the MP is wearing a saree and holding up a trishul to celebrate the first day of the upcoming Durga Puja festivities. In her replies a number of hardliners have sent her threatening messages.

View this post on Instagram

Shubho mahalaya… সকল কে.

A post shared by Nusrat (@nusratchirps) on Sep 16, 2020 at 7:46pm PDT

“Your time to die has finally arrived. Fear Allah. Can’t you keep your body covered? Chi Chi Chi,” one of these users wrote in the comments.

Following her latest round of trolling, reports say, the actor has approached the Ministry of External Affairs to provide extra security during her time in London, as well as for domestic travel back home. She is yet to file an FIR against some of the recent abusive comments as she’s tied up with shoots.

Actor-turned-MP #NusratJahan facing threats on social media for posing as Goddess Durga.
(@manogyaloiwal) #ITVideo pic.twitter.com/SzxATXBC9N

— IndiaToday (@IndiaToday) September 29, 2020

“We have taken up the matter with the Bengal government and Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi, who are in turn coordinating with the Indian embassy in London for her protection as an additional security measure. Ms Jahan has always stood for her secular and inclusive viewpoints and these trolls do not deter her,” a friend of the actor told reporters.

TMC MP @nusratchirps gets #threats on social media for posing as #Durga.
Time for additional security as she is shooting in #London for her 23rd movie.@MEAIndia pic.twitter.com/GFFt0jlsCB

— Manogya Loiwal (@manogyaloiwal) September 29, 2020

Last year, the actor was famously trolled for her choice of attire on the first day of the newly constituted Parliament. While most MPs opt for traditional Indian clothes, Jahan had worn pants and a top, which had prompted many trolls to tell her that Parliament was not a place for “photo shoots”, and led to thousands of calls to “respect culture”.

Now after her recent round of trolling, it seems clear that the MP will no longer stand for such behaviour. It’s an uphill battle, though, considering how intolerant most Indians are, especially in matters of religion.