Music composer A.R. Rahman came under social media criticism after his daughter Khatija recently shared the stage with him. At the event to celebrate 10 years of Slumdog Millionaire, Khatija, clad in a niqab or veil, spoke with her father and shared anecdotes. Social media users, however, were soon to criticise them for Khatija's attire, accusing Rahman of forcing his daughter to dress conservatively.
In response, Rahman, on Thursday, tweeted a photograph of his wife and two daughters posing with Nita Ambani. The hashtag along with the photograph was the music maestro's perfect response to criticism—#freedomtochoose. In the picture, Khatija wears a veil, but Rahman's wife Sairaa and his other daughter Raheema do not cover their faces.
The precious ladies of my family Khatija ,Raheema and Sairaa with NitaAmbaniji #freedomtochoose pic.twitter.com/H2DZePYOtA
— A.R.Rahman (@arrahman) February 6, 2019
Khatija reportedly posted on Instagram and clarified that wearing the niqab was her personal choice. A screenshot of a post doing the rounds of social media is said to be from her private Instagram account. “The recent conversation of myself on stage with my dad has been doing the rounds although I didn't expect such an overwhelming response. However, there were certain comments which said that this attire is being forced by my dad and that he has double standards,” she wrote. She also wrote that the attire she wears or the choices she makes in life does not have anything to do with her parents. “The veil has been my personal choice with complete acceptance and honour. I'm a sane mature adult who knows to make my choices in life. Any human being has a choice to wear or do what he/she wants and that's what I've been doing. Hence, kindly don't make your own judgements without understanding the exact situation #freedomofchoice.”
