On July 15, the Supreme Court dismissed a writ petition seeking action against social media influencer and activist Nazia Elahi Khan over her alleged derogatory remarks about Prophet Muhammad and his family, as well as an order to prevent the circulation of objectionable comments. However, the apex court observed that the plea appeared to be an attempt to politicize the remarks instead of pursuing remedies available under the law.
Who is Nazia Elahi Khan?
Khan is a social media influencer and activist. She has frequently appeared in TV debates and podcasts, allegedly maligning the image of Muslims and targeting them. Khan has a history of courting controversy through her remarks and actions against Muslims. On her X bio, Khan maintains that she supports a “Hindu Rashtra” and describes herself as an “unapologetic Indian (Modi ka Parivar).”
She first gained public attention during the Triple Talaq case, where she appeared as a lawyer representing one of the petitioners. Known for her anti-Muslim remarks, Khan has targeted Muslims on numerous occasions, calling for economic boycotts and even targeting Muslim employees working in various establishments.
What is Nazia Elahi Khan’s Instagram Podcast Controversy?
In June, she appeared on an Instagram podcast in conversation with host Divya Singh. During the podcast, Khan allegedly made derogatory remarks about the Prophet Muhammad and his family. Short clips of the video quickly went viral on social media, triggering public agitation, legal complaints, and demands from the Muslim community for strict action against her.
First Information Reports (FIRs) and complaints have been registered against Khan in Mumbai, Madhya Pradesh, Kolkata, and several other places. The cases have been filed under Section 299 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for outraging religious feelings. Muslim organizations in several states have alleged that Khan has a history of delivering hate speech and using inflammatory language against Muslims.
Nazia Elahi Khan’s Response to Prophet Muhammad Controversy
Khan has denied making the allegedly offensive remarks about the Prophet Muhammad, claiming that the viral clips on social media are AI-generated, manipulated, and selectively edited. According to reports, Khan has denied any intent to insult the Prophet Muhammad. While the Supreme Court’s recent refusal to entertain the PIL has somewhat emboldened her, the ongoing agitations and protests by Muslim organizations across the country continue to push back against Khan and other right-wing groups making similar comments.
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Shamshad Ali is a New Delhi–based journalist with over six years of experience spanning breaking news writing, on-the-ground reporting, and editing. When he isn’t chasing headlines, Shamshad is usually exploring new destinations, discovering hidden culinary gems, and striking up conversations with strangers. Many of whom turn out to be great sources, and even better friends. He can be reached at shamshadali.dar@gmail.com.
