Hours after National Award-winning actor Zaira Wasim announced her "disassociation" from the field of acting, political leaders in Jammu and Kashmir supported her decision and wished her luck.
Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah tweeted, "Who are any of us to question @ZairaWasimmm's choices? It's her life to do with as she pleases. All I will do is wish her well & hope that what ever she does makes her happy."
Who are any of us to question @ZairaWasimmm’s choices? It’s her life to do with as she pleases. All I will do is wish her well & hope that what ever she does makes her happy.
— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) June 30, 2019
The 18-year-old actor said she was not happy with the line of work as it interfered with her faith and religion.
Former bureaucrat-turned-politician Shah Faesal said he respected Wasim's decision and wished her luck.
"I always respected @ZairaWasimmm's decision to be an actor. Perhaps no other Kashmiri has achieved such an iconic status, such success and fame, at such a young age. And today, as she quit the industry, I have no choice but to respect her decision. Wish her luck," Faesal said in a tweet.
I always respected @ZairaWasimmm's decision to be an actor.
— Shah Faesal (@shahfaesal) June 30, 2019
Perhaps no other Kashmiri has achieved such an iconic status, such success and fame, at such a young age.
And today, as she quit the industry, I have no choice but to respect her decision.
Wish her luck.
However, on Twitter, the argument snowballed.
Relationship with religion can't be threatened due to the work you do! I don't buy that! Wonder what pressures operate in conservative settings.. I disagree but respect #ZairaWasim 's decision.. but we need to encourage more girls to work & not quit Mr Omar Abdullah https://t.co/lunyrwHeT0
— Shehzad Jai Hind (@Shehzad_Ind) June 30, 2019
While #NusratJahan had the guts to stand up to the Clerics at Dar-ul-Uloom...young @ZairaWasimmm clearly couldn't take the pressure & announced her “disassociation" from #Bollywood as it interfered with her "faith"
— The DeshBhakt (@akashbanerjee) June 30, 2019
Barring a few exceptions, Muslim Liberals won't dare oppose this. pic.twitter.com/cLiu33Egbx
Disgusting to see some ‘liberals’ supporting her decision to quit films due to ‘religious reasons’. We know she has been under pressure from religious extremists. Instead of encouraging her to be fearless and progressive, you support her in going backwards..!! 👎 #ZairaWasim
— Manak Gupta (@manakgupta) June 30, 2019
Others claimed that if MP Nusrat Jahan—who came under the fire of Islamic clerics after she married a non-Muslim—can wear a sindoor and mangalsutra, Wasim should not be criticised either.
#ZairaWasim ‘s decision to dissociate with film industry (‘because it interferes with her faith’) should be understood and respected as much as Nusrat Jahan’s Sindoor-Bindi.
— Arfa Khanum Sherwani (@khanumarfa) June 30, 2019
That did not make Nusrat immoral as this does not make Zaira more moral.
*Freedom to choose is supreme*
@ZairaWasimmm #ZairaWasim #DangalWithBollywood
— Javid Nisar (@javidnisar_) June 30, 2019
Give her some space and let her follow her own heart. pic.twitter.com/DLWUlC1ewN
In a detailed post on her Facebook page, which she later shared across all social media platforms, the Kashmiri-born Dangal fame star said she realised "though I may fit here perfectly, I do not belong here".
-Inputs from PTI
