Sambhal, Aug 4 — Tamanna Malik, a 27-year-old Muslim woman from Uttar Pradesh's Sambhal district, is preparing to undertake the Kanwar Yatra during the holy month of Sawan, but the plan has run into controversy after a local court issued a notice to her and her husband, Aman Tyagi, regarding their participation in the pilgrimage while wearing a burqa.
Tamanna had earlier participated in the Kanwar Yatra during Maha Shivratri in February this year. On February 14, she walked from Haridwar carrying a Kanwar filled with holy water, which she later offered at a temple in Sambhal.
She had said that she undertook the pilgrimage after making a personal vow that once she married Aman Tyagi, the two would perform the Kanwar Yatra together.
After offering jalabhishek while dressed in a burqa during Maha Shivratri earlier this year, a video of the event went viral on social media, drawing widespread attention.
Following the online circulation of the video, Tamanna had lodged an FIR alleging that she had received threats through social media platforms. The episode triggered a controversy, but Tamanna and Aman maintained that their faith and beliefs were above religious divisions.
Tamanna is planning to participate in the Kanwar Yatra during the month of Sawan while wearing a burqa.
After learning about her plans, the SDM Court in Sambhal served a show-cause notice to Tamanna Malik and her husband, Aman Tyagi. According to the notice, if Tamanna proceeds in violation of the directions mentioned, she could face a fine of Rs 20,000.
Speaking to IANS, Aman Tyagi said the administration had objected to his wife wearing a burqa during the pilgrimage and that the couple had approached the SDM's office to submit their response.
"We received a notice from the SDM and the administration stating that if we go to Haridwar, my wife Tamanna Malik cannot travel wearing a burqa. It was effectively a restriction. We came to the SDM's office to respond to that notice. Our request to the government and the administration is that this country is governed by the Constitution, and nowhere does the Constitution say that women's rights can be curtailed or that women can be stopped from wearing any particular attire. They should be free to wear whatever they wish," he said.
Aman asserted that the couple still intends to proceed with the pilgrimage and questioned the basis on which the notice had been issued.
"We will definitely go to Haridwar tomorrow. I have no clue why the administration has issued this notice to us. Last time also we performed Kanwar Yatra and several Hindus welcomed and supported us. Even today, many people want us to perform the Yatra," he added.
He further alleged that there were several incidents taking place on a regular basis that, according to him, hurt Hindu sentiments, but did not invite similar action from the authorities.
Citing Purnia MP Pappu Yadav as an example, Aman questioned what he described as selective enforcement.
"Pappu Yadav is a parliamentarian. He wears saffron clothes and sits outside Parliament mocking the religion and performs his so-called skit on Ram Temple. However, no action is taken against him, and instead he is given more protection for his safety. On the other hand, we are not doing anything that hurts the sentiments of people. We just want to bring the holy water from Haridwar; it doesn't matter what kind of clothes she wears as the Constitution allows us to do so," he said.
Aman further stated, "We will not go against the Constitution and will perform our pilgrimage according to the Constitutional provisions."
Meanwhile, Sambhal SDM Vikas Chandra clarified that the notice issued to the couple was only a preventive measure aimed at maintaining law and order in the area.