Mumbai: Miss Universe 2021, Harnaaz Sandhu appealed to the public not to target girls on 'hijab' and urged to let them to live the way they choose to. In a viral video, a reporter asked her about her views on the hijab, to which she responded, despite the organizer's intervention telling reporters not to ask Sandhu political questions, PTI reported.
Sandhu said, "Honestly, why do you always target girls? Even now, you are targeting me. Like, even on the issue of hijab, the girls are being targeted. Let them (girls) live the way they choose to, let her reach her destination, let her fly, those are her wings, don't cut them, if you must (cut someone's wings) cut your own." After that, she asked the reporter to ask her about her journey, the hurdles she faced and her success at the beauty pageant instead.
She further asked the reporter to ask her about her journey, the hurdles she faced, and the success at the beauty pageant earlier this year.
The organizer, who intervened, had suggested the media ask her about her journey, success and how she has been a source of inspiration, but the reporter replied that let Sandhu say that. The viral video was from an event held in Mumbai on March 17, honouring Miss Universe 2021's homecoming.
On March 15, the Karnataka High Court had dismissed petitions seeking permission for Muslim girls to wear hijab inside classrooms. The HC ruled that the headwear is not an essential religious practice of Muslims. The Supreme Court also refused to admit urgent hearing on pleas challenging the Karanataka HC verdict.