Music composer and singer Salim Merchant faced a wave of online criticism on 19 September 2026 after he shared photographs from his visit to the Kamakhya Temple in Guwahati, Assam — one of the most revered Shakti shrines in India. The post drew both warm responses and pointed questions about his religious identity from a section of social media users.

What Salim Posted

In the pictures, Salim is seen alongside a friend, both standing before the temple with folded hands after seeking blessings. He wore a white T-shirt and dark trousers, with a red religious stole draped around his shoulders and a garland around his neck. Sharing the images, he wrote in Hindi: 'Shakti ke charanon mein, Om Aim Hreem Kleem Kamakhye Namah' — a devotional invocation to the goddess.

The Online Reaction

While a large number of users responded warmly — with heart emojis, folded-hand icons, and messages seeking Maa Kamakhya's blessings — some users from the Muslim community questioned the act. One commenter wrote, 'Astaghfirullah from all muslims side' — an Arabic phrase seeking forgiveness from Allah. Another questioned Salim directly, writing: 'Our shirk kia jiski maafi ni Quran me Hy btao saleem' — raising the Islamic theological concept of shirk, the association of partners with Allah, for which the Quran does not promise forgiveness. A third comment read: 'Ali Ali na kia kr na ahlbait ka zikar kia kr' — urging him to confine his devotion to Islamic figures.

Not the First Time

This is not Salim's first encounter with such scrutiny. In March 2026, he had publicly spoken about his practice of offering prayers to Lord Shiva every Monday while also observing Jummah prayers on Fridays. He reportedly described his connection with God and music as something 'difficult to put into words,' and said he respects both religions. His interfaith spiritual practice has consistently invited commentary, both supportive and critical, from across communities.

Who Is Salim Merchant

Salim is one half of the acclaimed Bollywood composer duo Salim-Sulaiman, alongside his elder brother Sulaiman Merchant. The brothers have collaborated for more than three decades, composing music and background scores for a string of major Hindi films. Their credits include Chak De! India, Fashion, Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi, and Band Baaja Baaraat, among others. Together, they are among the most versatile composers in contemporary Hindi cinema.

The Broader Context

The controversy sits within a wider pattern of public figures from minority communities facing scrutiny — and at times hostility — when they publicly engage with majority religious practices. Salim's position — expressing devotion across faiths without appearing to renounce either — is not unprecedented in India's syncretic cultural tradition, but it remains a flashpoint in increasingly polarised online spaces. The episode underscores how social media has amplified debates around interfaith identity and religious expression in India.