Jammu: The issue of “Dangal girl” Zaira Wasim, a Kashmiri who posted an apology on social media, on Monday figured in the state Assembly with a BJP member saying “anti- national forces” had issued death threats to the 16-year-old actress and that adequate security should be given to her.
After Ravinder Raina raised the issue, Deputy Speaker Nazir Ahmed instructed the government to look into the issue and take appropriate steps.
During a discussion on the budget in the House, Raina raised a “point of information”, saying the young actress had received death threats.
“I have come to know from reliable people that the young girl of our state Zaira Wasim, who played a beautiful role in ‘Dangal’ movie and had recently met the state Chief Minister (Mehbooba Mufti) has received death threats,” he said.
The ruling BJP member said the threat had been issued by “anti-national forces” and the young actress must be provided adequate security.
“I have cross checked the information and it is true that she has received death threats. Government must ensure and provide her security as she has brought laurels to the state,” Raina said.
The Chief Minister, while replying to a debate on Motion of Thanks to the Governor’s Address, also referred to Zaira’s “excellent role” in ‘Dangal’, and said, “our children are showing excellence in the fields of sports and others but unfortunately they don’t get the due opportunity and appreciation”.
Separately, National Conference leader and former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said Zaira should not be forced to apologies.
Zaira Wasim posts Facebook apology
Srinagar: Kashmiri girl Zaira Wasim, who played the younger version of Indian wrestler Geeta Phogat in Aamir Khan-led Bollywood blockbuster “Dangal”, on Monday apologised for “offending” and “unintentionally hurting” people after her meeting with Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti kicked up a row.
Zaira took to social media and tendered an apology apparently over her meeting with the Chief Minister on Saturday, which drew sharp reactions from the youth in the valley because of the situation here during the last few months.
She also played down her performance in “Dangal”, saying she was “not proud of” what she is doing.
“This is an open confession/apology. I know that many people have been offended and displeased by my recent actions or by the people I have recently met,” the 16-year-old actress wrote on her Facebook page.
Wasim said she wanted to apologise to “all those people who I have unintentionally hurt and I want them to know that I understand their sentiments behind it especially considering that what had happened over the past six months” apparently referring to the unrest in the valley which left 86 people dead and thousands injured.
“But I hope people can also understand there are certain circumstances that emerge which one cannot control and I hope people still remember that I’m a just a 16 year old girl and I hope you treat me accordingly. I’m sorry for what I did but it was not a deliberate decision and I really hope people can forgive me,” she said.
Zaira also played down her projection as a role model for the youth of Kashmir, saying she does not want anyone to follow in her footsteps.
“There are few more things which are very important and I want to clear them as well. The first and foremost thing is that I am being projected as a role model for Kashmiri Youth.
I want to make it very clear that I do not want anyone to follow in my footsteps or even consider me as a role model.
“I’m not proud of what I’m doing and I want everyone, especially the Youth to know that there are real role models out there whether they be in this time or in our history,” she said.
“To even consider me as a role model would be disgracing them and their disgrace would be our disgrace! I do not wish to start an argument here, this was a just a mere confession from my end which I really wanted people to know. May Allah bless us and guide us,” she said.
Former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said Wasim should not be forced to apologise.
“A 16 year old shouldn’t be forced to apologise & that too allegedly for meeting @MehboobaMufti. What are we coming to!!!!!,” he tweeted.
“I’ve a problem with @MehboobaMufti trying to usurp other peoples success to cover up her own failures but why punish/troll people she meets?,” he added.
Reacting to her post, Bollywood filmmaker Ashoke Pandit said, “This is exactly what happened with the girls band Pragaash…..We saw what happened to them. They had to pack up and they stopped singing. I see no reason why this child had to come out and issue the statement. She must have been targeted, must have been threatened.”
Geeta Phogat also backed Wasim, saying she need not apologise or worry as she has not done anything wrong.
“I just want to say that Zaira shouldn’t apologise. She didn’t do anything wrong. Just like we have made our country proud by winning medals, she has done the same thing by playing my younger version in the movie. She did a lot of hard work for that role and she played it really well.
“I’ve met her so many times during shoot, she is a very simple girl… I want to say to her family that don’t be afraid about anything and just don’t worry. We all are with them. The entire country stands with them. She is equally deserving like us and we all respect her from the bottom of our hearts,” Geeta said.