Shafaq Naaz has spoken out against abusive comments after sharing photographs of her Karwa Chauth celebrations with her husband, Zeeshan. The television actor said wearing sindoor and participating in another community’s festival should not become grounds for questioning her religious identity.
In an Instagram video addressing the reaction, Shafaq described the disrespect she had encountered beneath her photographs. Her response centred on personal belief, cultural participation and the right to celebrate without facing harassment.
What prompted Shafaq Naaz’s response?
The photographs showed Shafaq wearing a red saree, sindoor and red bangles. In one image, she held a sieve associated with Karwa Chauth celebrations, while other photographs featured her husband.
According to the actor, some commenters questioned whether celebrating the festival meant she had changed her religion. She said the response turned a personal celebration into an intrusive discussion about her faith. Reports published on November 2 also documented her video and the criticism she described.
Actor questions assumptions about her religious identity
Addressing those comments, Shafaq clarified that her husband, Zeeshan, is Muslim. She challenged the suggestion that applying sindoor meant she was no longer Muslim, questioning why her faith was being judged through a photograph.
Her explanation distinguished her participation in a celebration from her religious identity. For Shafaq, enjoying traditions from different communities did not undermine her own beliefs.
She also expressed disappointment that commenters had targeted her husband, asking why he was being drawn into criticism of her personal choices.
Shafaq calls for respect across communities
The actor spoke about her appreciation for India’s different cultures and festivals. She said respect for other people’s beliefs was central to her understanding of her own faith.
Shafaq also objected to the expectation that she should publicly account for her religious practices. How she prays, fasts or expresses belief, she explained, belongs to her personal life.
“I will not stop believing what I believe,” she said.
She told viewers who disagreed with her choices that they could unfollow her account, while making clear that online criticism would not determine how she lived.
She plans to continue sharing festival celebrations
Shafaq said she would continue posting photographs on occasions including Eid, Diwali and Holi. Her response ended with an appeal for people to stop arguing and respect her freedom to make those decisions.
The actor also referred to her work in mythological television shows and her longstanding interest in different cultural traditions. She said that admiration was rooted in respect rather than any sense of superiority between communities.
Shafaq Naaz’s television work
Shafaq is known for playing Kunti in Mahabharat and Mayuri in Chidiya Ghar. Her response to the comments placed the focus on boundaries between a public career and private belief: sharing a celebration, she maintained, does not give others the right to dictate her religious identity.
