Actor-politician Khushbu has never been shy of speaking her mind on social media, where she has quite a large following. Her no-nonsense approach against bigotry has often made her a darling of India’s right-wing brigade, always nimble-footed to give grief to anyone, who criticises their ideology of hate and divisiveness.
However, far from being fazed, Khushbu has often tackled the social media trolls with incredible firmness without falling in their trap. The famous actor recently changed her name on Twitter, where her social media identity now reads as ‘khushbusundar..and it’s NAKHAT KHAN for the BJP..’
Not too long ago, the actor, who’s now a national spokesperson for the Congress party, had tweeted stating how she was a ‘born Muslim’ would ‘die as one.’ She had said, “i am a born muslim n will die as one..i will never change it bcoz it does not matter..i don’t live by the rule of religion..i live by the rule of compassion,humanity,equal rights for all,empowerment;especially women,harmony,diversity n happiness..BJP has different rules i suppose. (sic)”
i am a born muslim n will die as one..i will never change it bcoz it does not matter..i don’t live by the rule of religion..i live by the rule of compassion,humanity,equal rights for all,empowerment;especially women,harmony,diversity n happiness..BJP has different rules i suppose
— khushbusundar..and it’s NAKHAT KHAN for the BJP.. (@khushsundar) April 7, 2018
On Thursday, Khushbu began to face incessant trolling on social media, all over again. One user likened her decision to highlight her Muslim name to cheap theatrics (nautanki). The user wrote, “Great! Point is why the hell did she agree to be addressed as Khusboo in the first place. Tabu or Shabana and many others didn’t have to do this nautanki.”
Pat came Khushbu’s reply. She wrote, “nautanki ke director..do you think an 8yr old could foresee that in 2018 losers n paid trolls of BJP will find an objection to my name n me being a muslim or a hindu or a christian? all this nautanki happens only under #Modi rule. kuch baat gayee bheje mein?? (sic)”
nautanki ke director..do you think an 8yr old could foresee that in 2018 losers n paid trolls of BJP will find an objection to my name n me being a muslim or a hindu or a christian? all this nautanki happens only under #Modi rule. kuch baat gayee bheje mein?? https://t.co/Ia238WhRUJ
— khushbusundar..and it’s NAKHAT KHAN for the BJP.. (@khushsundar) April 26, 2018
Khushbu found plenty of support from her Congress colleagues, who endorsed her decision to display her Muslim name.
Well said Khushbu ji?And of course they haven’t heard the famous saying “What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet”? https://t.co/DCvKFoJb9J
— Sharmistha Mukherjee (@Sharmistha_GK) April 26, 2018
Next is what? The mentally paralytical ducks in BJP going to questions Dilip Kumar for not using Yusuf Khan? This .. “you’re Hindu/Muslim” never existed earlier. We all lived happily! https://t.co/4xEplXosAD
— Gaurav Pandhi (@GauravPandhi) April 26, 2018
Khushbu’s name has been a topic of interest for the Hindutva supporters on social media for quite some time. That’s also perhaps she’s has been a fierce critic of the divisive politics played by the supporters of the saffron brigade in India. Her one such criticism was earlier this month, when she mocked the Madhya Pradesh government’s for according cabinet rank to five Hindu babas.
This is how #BJP ruled state assemblies are likely to look like in a few days from now after the newly inducted #MoSs
in MP..What say @AmitShah ji?? pic.twitter.com/GNJnp55A33— khushbusundar..and it’s NAKHAT KHAN for the BJP.. (@khushsundar) April 5, 2018
Spokesperson of Congress, Nakhat Khan, using Hindu name Khushbu Sundar to fool others, insulting Hinduism, mocking sacred Naga Sadhus. Liberals say, “Indian minorities are living in fear” but the minorities are insulting majority’s sentiments continuously. https://t.co/VPN8mN1CCl
— নীলসুনীল (@_trunils) April 6, 2018
Khushbu Sundar is a “born Muslim and continues to be one”? What’s her real name?
— Nupur (@UnSubtleDesi) March 27, 2018
Khushbu, who has won five Tamil Nadu State Film Awards for Best Actress and one Kerala State Film Award, has acted in over 200 films, mostly in south Indian languages. In Bollywood, she had started her career as a child artist and acted in blockbusters such as The Burning Train, Laawaris and Kalia among others.