Actor Saif Ali Khan’s sister and jewellery designer Saba Ali Khan Pataudi has weighed in on the hullabaloo over Kareena Kapoor Khan’s second baby Jehangir’s name. And we’re hoping her strongly-worded message puts a full-stop to the unnecessary drama.
In an Instagram post, Saba wrote that “Parents are the only ones with rights” and that “no one else, including other family members…have a say” when it comes to making decisions about their children. Check out the post here:
Image credit: Instagram/sabapataudi
Sharing a picture of mum Kareena Kapoor Khan holding Jeh in her arms while kissing him on the back of his head, Saba advises everyone to respect the choice of the parents in matters relating to their children.
Her caption in full reads: “Momma n Jaan Jeh. When a mother carries her child within her and gives him or her life. Only she and the father are allowed to decide who how and what the child will grow as… And the name .
No one No one else, including other family members, who may gladly suggest, have a say. On anything! It’s her soul that has nurtured that baby. Parents are the only one with rights. Think it’s a reminder for everyone to respect that . Today… tomorrow. Forever!!!!…. [sic]”
Image credit: Instagram/kareenakapoorkhan
Kareena and Saif welcomed their second child Jeh, short for Jehangir, in February this year. An online uproar was expected following the revelation of the name, much on the lines of trolls’ reaction to their first son, Taimur’s, name. While the name Taimur is associated with a Central Asian emperor, Jehangir was the name of a Mughal emperor.
Trolls, however, love erasing and distorting facts as per convenience. Jehangir, in fact, is a Persian word which means ‘One who conquers the world’. When Taimur was born, the couple had to clarify on multiple occasions that the name had nothing to do with the empire-builder, which they shouldn’t have had to.
Image credit: Instagram/kareenakapoorkhan
In an old interview with the Mumbai Mirror, Saif Ali Khan shared that he was aware of why people were upset: “I’m aware of the heritage of the Turkish ruler and my son was not named after him. He was Timur, my son is Taimur. Perhaps the root is similar but it’s not the same name. Taimur is an ancient Persian name meaning iron. Both my wife and I liked its sound and the meaning. In fact, of all the names I ran by Kareena, she liked this one the best because it’s beautiful and strong.” In another interview, he revealed that he even considered renaming Taimur after the controversy erupted but Kareena was against it.
We’re glad that the parents stood their ground, unfazed by mindless trolls who’re out to target anybody and everybody for just about anything. But Jeh’s bua Saba has once again reminded everyone that only parents have the right to make decisions about their children (until, of course, they’re adults). We also loved how Saba concluded the note with a sweet message for Kareena and Jeh. “Love you Bhabs n Baby Jeh. Kiss from buajaan too!” it read.
Lead image credit: Instagram/saraalikhan, Instagram/sabapataudi
