Spiritual Head of Parmarth Niketan Ashram, Swami Chidanand Saraswati, on Friday, 30 October, publicly opposed the fatwa issued by a Muslim cleric against Bollywood actress Sara Ali Khan for offering prayers at the Kedarnath Temple in Uttarakhand, stating that such religious rulings should not be directed at anyone walking the 'path of virtue'.

The Fatwa That Sparked the Debate

All India Muslim Jamaat National President Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi Barelvi issued the fatwa against Sara Ali Khan, declaring her visit to the Kedarnath Temple and the prayers she offered there as 'haram (forbidden)' and 'najayaz (impermissible)' under Sharia law. Defending his decision on Thursday, the cleric said, 'I have received information that film actress Sara Ali Khan visited Kedarnath (Temple) and performed acts of worship. If she truly did this from the heart, then the rulings of Sharia apply to her, because she is a Muslim, and for a Muslim, visiting a temple and engaging in acts of worship falls under the category of shirk (polytheism); it is najayaz (impermissible) and haram (forbidden).' He added that according to Sharia, Khan is required to perform 'Tauba' (repentance).

What Swami Chidanand Saraswati Said

Addressing reporters in Haridwar, Swami Chidanand Saraswati said, 'I believe fatwas should not be issued against anyone. If a person has committed a sin, one can understand the concern. But issuing a fatwa against someone who is following a path of virtue is difficult to understand.' He further stated, 'I do not know all the details, but I would say that anyone who does something good, follows a positive path, works for the welfare of society or helps others should be appreciated, not targeted with fatwas.'

Akhil Bharatiya Sant Samiti's Stance

Swami Jitendranand Saraswati, General Secretary of the Akhil Bharatiya Sant Samiti, offered a more nuanced view, noting, 'This is a matter for Muslim clerics. They can stop women of their community from visiting temples.' However, he raised a pointed question: 'If Islam believes Muslim boys should participate in our Dandiya celebrations, then why only boys? Why shouldn't their entire families participate? Why shouldn't their daughters join as well?'

Madras High Court Ruling Cited

Separately, citing the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court's ruling that Agamic Hindu temples are not tourist destinations but places of pilgrimage, the seer noted that people may visit if they have genuine faith — but must demonstrate that faith. The court has ruled that non-Hindus sporting religious markers of other faiths, and not affirming reverence for the deity concerned, cannot be permitted into the premises of Agamic temples. Notably, Sara Ali Khan is the daughter of Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan and his former wife Amrita Singh. The controversy reflects a broader and recurring tension in India over interfaith religious expression and the reach of personal religious law.