Ujjain, 10 October (H.S.): Supreme Court advocate and BJP leader Nazia Khan performed tarpan for her ancestors on Saturday, on Sarvapitri Amavasya, at Ram Ghat in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh. After around an hour of worship and rituals on the banks of the Shipra, she said that she had received threatening calls once news of her performing the tarpan became public. Nazia said she would not be intimidated by these threats.

Nazia Khan arrived in Ujjain at around 11 am on Saturday and performed the tarpan at Ram Ghat according to the prescribed rites. She said she wished to express reverence and gratitude towards her ancestors. Nazia had mentioned to the priest the animal sacrifices made in her family during Bakrid, that is, Eid al-Adha. She also expressed a wish to have a prayer performed for the salvation (moksha) of those animals. The priest conducted a separate ritual for this.

Nazia Khan said that, since the news of her performing the tarpan emerged, she had been receiving threats from the terrorist network of Shahzad Bhatti in Pakistan. She also said that threatening calls had come from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and from Jammu and Kashmir. She said she received around seven or eight calls on Friday night. The callers told her not to perform the tarpan and warned her to be careful while travelling. Nazia said: “I have been told to come carefully and go carefully, that anything can happen anywhere. But I am not going to be afraid.” However, there is no information available confirming her claims of having received threats.

Backs police action in Shahi Masjid dispute

Nazia Khan also responded to the questions being raised over the stone-pelting and the police action that took place while part of the Shahi Masjid in Ujjain was being removed. Criticising those who were questioning the police action, she said that the people concerned should look at their own documents before commenting on the police. She said: “Does stone-pelting come under law and order? Does abuse come under law and order?” Nazia also accused people of spreading rumours against the police through social media and YouTube.

Statement on participation in Garba and Dandiya

Asked about Muslim young men taking part in Garba and Dandiya events, Nazia Khan said that the Muslim community should not attend such events. Citing religious beliefs, she said that for those who follow Allah and the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad, taking part in Garba and Dandiya is haram (forbidden). She said: “For them, Garba and Dandiya is haram; it is haram for them to look at idols and pandals or to inhale the fragrance of loban (incense). They should not go at all.”

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Hindusthan Samachar / Mayank Chaturvedi