In an interview with India Today TV, former Trinamool Congress MP and Bengali actor Nusrat Jahan candidly discussed the party's decision not to field her in the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections and her future in politics. Reflecting on her tenure as an MP, Nusrat Jahan asserted her belief that she discharged her responsibilities diligently. "I firmly believe I fulfilled all the responsibilities given to me when I was an MP. What people think and what happened are different things," she stated.
The Trinamool Congress opted to exclude Nusrat Jahan from the Basirhat Lok Sabha seat for the 2024 elections following criticism of her absence during a controversy in Sandeshkhali, where allegations of systemic sexual exploitation involving Trinamool members surfaced.
Despite not receiving the party ticket this time, Jahan affirmed her ongoing allegiance to the party and her colleagues. "I know I have done my job with honesty. Right now, I am not part of politics, but still, you will always see me supporting my colleagues who are in politics. Wherever and however I am needed by my party, I would definitely stand by and do the needful," she assured.
Looking ahead, Nusrat Jahan emphasized that one's impact in society doesn't necessarily hinge on holding a political position. "On the other hand, I do believe that if you need to do something for somebody, you don't really need to have a post or be in the middle of the political game. Good work can be done without being a post-holder. I am doing exactly what I need to do right now," she articulated.
Known for her active participation in cultural and religious festivities, including Durga Puja and Rath Yatra, Nusrat Jahan underscored her commitment to secularism and communal harmony. "I genuinely believe in secularity. I believe all festivals need to be celebrated and all religions should be respected. My principles and ideologies tell me to respect all religions, and I will continue doing that. In Bengal, we celebrate all festivals together," she affirmed.
Regarding the pervasive issue of online trolling, Nusrat Jahan adopted a pragmatic approach, advocating for resilience against detractors. "Trolling happens to every second person. You can combat them only by ignoring them. Everybody can say what they want, and you can't stop them. But you can stop yourself; you can control your mindset. It is not required to give them so much importance," she remarked calmly.
