📰 Kerala Travel Vlogger Faces Backlash Over Viral Video Applying Sindoor on Foreign Women’s Foreheads at Temple
Kerala travel vlogger Maheen Shajahan has found himself at the centre of a cultural controversy after sharing a video of himself applying sindoor (vermilion) to the foreheads of his foreign female friends during a temple visit. On May 25, the video quickly went viral on Instagram, sparking a nationwide debate over the misrepresentation of Hindu traditions and the boundaries of religious tolerance.
📸 The Video of Kerala travel vlogger That Sparked Debate
In the video, Shajahan is seen entering a temple with foreign tourists and respectfully applying sindoor to their foreheads. His caption framed the act as a gesture of inclusivity:
“Muslim boy in Kerala Temple. In Kerala, faith isn’t a barrier – it’s a bridge… We respect. We celebrate. We share. Different paths, one love.”
While some praised the message, others condemned the use of sindoor, traditionally reserved for married Hindu women, as a casual prop in a social media reel.
🗣️ Kerala travel vlogger Responds to Outrage
Kerala travel vlogger said:
“I was aware that sindoor is worn by married women, but didn’t realize it was inappropriate for someone else to apply it. Had I known, I wouldn’t have done it. I never meant to hurt anyone.”
He emphasised that none of the women objected, and the temple priest had offered the sindoor. He also accused some groups of misusing the clip to provoke communal tensions.
⚖️ Opinion: Why Are Experiments Always With Hinduism?
Although the Kerala travel vlogger claimed ignorance of Hindu customs and acted in the spirit of curiosity and fun, many observers argue that such “social experiments” are increasingly directed at Hindu practices, perhaps because Hindu tolerance has been repeatedly taken for granted.
He seemed to believe that his act was extraordinary and socially unifying, justified by the lack of objection from the foreign women in the video. But a valid counter-question arises: Did those foreign women even understand the significance of the ritual?
More pointedly, critics ask:
🟠 “What if the vlogger had been Hindu and performed a reversed, misinformed ritual outside a mosque? Would the reaction from the Muslim community have been as forgiving?”
This recurring pattern—testing Hindu customs for online content while steering clear of other religions’ boundaries—has not gone unnoticed. Many in the public now view such acts not as innocent missteps, but as calculated stunts exploiting Hinduism’s openness.
💬 Internet Reacts: Divided, But Wiser
Online opinion remains split. Few defend the vlogger’s intention of harmony, while others warn that ignorance is no excuse for distorting religious symbols, especially when content is monetised and widely shared.
“You wouldn’t dare do this in front of a church or a mosque,” one user posted.
Another added, “Cultural appropriation disguised as ‘inclusion’ is still offensive.”
🧭 The Bigger Picture: Respect ≠ Experimentation
This episode serves as a reminder that faith and ritual are not props, and that respecting a tradition requires more than good intentions—it demands understanding.
As social media continues to blur the lines between reverence and performance, religious communities are pushing back, calling not just for apologies, but for awareness and accountability.
#RespectNotReels | #HinduTolerance | #CulturalMisuse | #FaithIsNotAProp | #MaheenShajahan | #TempleRespect | #ReligiousSensitivity | #DoubleStandardsDebate
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