Islamists target Pak actress Ushna Shah for "promoting" Indian culture at wedding

Pakistani actress Ushna Shah has come under attack from netizens for "promoting" Indian culture at her wedding.

She was criticised by Islamists for "dressing up like an Indian bride." She wore a lehenga designed by Pakistani brand Warda Saleem while the groom donned an ivory sherwani.

"Pakistanis have their own cultures and religion. Stop trying to import Indian culture into Pakistan. We're Muslims and our religion doesn't allow us to wear this kind of stuff. Stop spreading negativity," a user said. The second one said, "Why have Pakistani brides started dressing up in such Indian styles? This is not our culture!!" Another one accused, "They are fooling people by promoting Indian culture in the name of Pakistani culture. We shouldn't tolerate it as it spoils our own culture, traditional values and religious values as well."

Responding to the netizens' reactions, Shah accused a fashion blogger of violating the terms clearly stated in her wedding invitation by bringing a plus-one.

"I am disgusted and feel violated. He (the blogger) was invited out of obligation as I have known him for years and he happened to be at the office where we were designing invitations. His invite said strictly no plus one. He was then sent a memo along with other guests to not record personal moments, especially the nikkah (wedding ceremony)," she said in one of her Instagram stories. She continued, "Not only did he bring a plus one, he brought a photographer without permission, lied to my family that I had allowed this. That photographer then sent exclusive unapproved photos to various portals." Ushna further wrote, "He (the photographer) also brought a drone, which he snuck to our private nikkah enclosure on the water and recorded our signing, which left me in tears afterward."

In another post, the Pakistani actor wrote, "The drone was hovering loudly next to my head during my signing, I had to shoo it away. I had a sick feeling in my stomach wondering who it was. Does any bride deserve this? Whether my dress looked Indian to people or even Mongolian, does any human being deserve this? Our nikkah enclosure allowed 15 people, family only. I am dizzy with disgust that this man would stoop so low... If I have any legal standing to do something about this, I will. I feel absolutely violated."

The actress also posted screenshots of the invitation sent to the blogger with a message saying that the wedding ceremony was strictly prohibited.

Earlier on Sunday, she slammed the netizens and said, "To those who have a problem with my dress: you weren't invited, nor did you pay for my shade of red. My jewellery, my jora (wedding outfit): purely Pakistani..."