Samajwadi Party leader ST Hasan defends Saif Ali Khan’s son, criticises Kumar Vishwas over ‘Taimur’ remarks
Team Clarion
LUCKNOW — Renowned Hindi poet Kumar Vishwas has again raked up a controversy with his remarks, this time targeting the name of Bollywood actors Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor’s son, Taimur Ali Khan. Vishwas, speaking at a Kavi Sammelan (poetry event), criticised celebrities for naming their children after historical figures linked to invasions, indirectly referencing Taimur without mentioning the couple.
Vishwas, who had a brief stint in politics as an Aam Aadmi Party leader, reportedly stated, “I want to tell the people of Mayanagari (Mumbai) that such practices will no longer be accepted. We support your films, buy tickets, and make you stars, but if you name your children after invader kings, it will not work. Taimur will neither become a hero nor a villain in the industry because of his name.”
His statement quickly went viral on social media, drawing mixed reactions. While a few supported his views, the majority condemned his comments as unnecessary and offensive, especially towards a child.
Vishwas drew a lot of flak recently when he took a dig at Shatrughan Sinha and his daughter Sonakshi Sinha regarding her interfaith marriage to Zaheer Iqbal. During a poetry event in Meerut, Vishwas delivered verses indirectly referencing the Sinha family, urging parents to instill values from the Ramayana in their children. Vishwas pointed out the irony of the Sinha family’s Mumbai residence being named ‘Ramayan’ while making a veiled remark about Sonakshi’s marriage. His comments came in for strong criticism on social media platforms for inciting hatred and misogyny.
Responding to Kumar Vishwas’s comments on Taimur’s name, Samajwadi Party (SP) leader and former MP ST Hasan defended Saif Ali Khan’s family, calling the remarks unwarranted. Hasan emphasised that “Taimur is just a name, and many people name their children Taimur, which means ‘as strong as iron’.”
He further argued that while Taimur, the historical figure, was indeed a cruel ruler, it is unjust to target innocent children based on the historical connotation of their names.
“Taimur was indeed a cruel king, but trolling children over their names is unfair,” Hasan remarked, urging for sensitivity in public discourse.
In a pointed rebuttal, ST Hasan highlighted the double standards in name criticism, bringing up the historical figure Jaichand. “Jaichand was also a controversial figure, known for betraying Prithviraj Chauhan, yet many people in villages still name their children Jaichand,” Hasan stated.
He argued that if Taimur’s name is being criticised for historical cruelty, then names like Jaichand should face similar scrutiny. “If Taimur’s name can be questioned, then Jaichand’s name should be banned too,” he added, drawing attention to the selective targeting of names linked to historical figures.
However, a few supporters defended Vishwas, claiming his comments were about the glorification of controversial historical figures rather than personal attacks.
The controversy has reignited debates on public figures’ responsibilities when making statements, particularly regarding sensitive cultural topics. ST Hasan’s remarks have resonated with many, emphasising the importance of focusing on the present rather than historical grievances when addressing public concerns.
As the debate continues, voices from various political and cultural backgrounds are calling for a more balanced and respectful public discourse, urging that personal matters, especially involving children, should be kept out of political commentary.
