Shabana Azmi Calls Out Kangana Ranaut For Her Hijab Row Comment

Students from Government Girls PU college in the Udupi district were allegedly denied entry for wearing Hijab, a head covering worn by Muslim women.

The ‘Queen’ actor shared a post by author Anand Ranganathan and wrote, “If you want to show courage, show it by not wearing burqa in Afghanistan. Learn to break free, not cage yourself.”

Sharing Kangana’s post on her official Twitter handle, Shabana questioned, “Correct me if I’m wrong but Afghanistan is a theocratic state and when I last checked India was a secular democratic republic ?!!”

Correct me if Im wrong but Afghanistan is a theocratic state and when I last checked India was a secular democratic republic ?!! pic.twitter.com/0bVUxK9Uq7

— Azmi Shabana (@AzmiShabana) February 11, 2022

On Wednesday, Shabana’s husband, veteran lyricist Javed Akhtar also condemned the Hijab row in India.

Taking to Twitter, he wrote, “I have never been in favour of Hijab or Burqa. I still stand by that, but at the same time, I have nothing but deep contempt for these mobs of hooligans who are trying to intimidate a small group of girls and that too unsuccessfully. Is this their idea of ‘MANLINESS’. What a pity.”

I have never been in favour of Hijab or Burqa. I still stand by that but at the same time I have nothing but deep contempt for these mobs of hooligans who are trying to intimidate a small group of girls and that too unsuccessfully. Is this their idea of “MANLINESS” . What a pity

— Javed Akhtar (@Javedakhtarjadu) February 10, 2022

The whole controversy erupted after the Karnataka government on February 5 issued an order mandating a dress code in all schools and colleges, with a ban on clothes that “disturb equality, integrity and public law and order”.

The issue reached the Karnataka High Court this week, but the court declined to pass any interim order Wednesday and referred the case to a larger bench.