Let Girls Choose: Miss Universe 2021 Harnaaz Sandhu On Hijab Row

In a video doing rounds on social media, the Miss Universe 2021 winner during a press conference in Mumbai was asked about her views on the hijab issue going on in Karnataka. Many celebrities have taken to Twitter to talk about the matter. During the press interaction, the organisers interrupted the question asked, although later Sandhu went on to answer it.

In a short clip recorded during Sandhu's homecoming event held on March 17, this year. A journalist asked Sandhu about her views on the issues around the hijab. Reacting to the question immediately, the organisers asked the journalist to not ask any political questions and instead focus on Sandhu's journey, success and questions pertaining to her source of inspiration to step up and become the Miss Universe.

After this, the journalist persisted and said, "Let Harnaaz say the same things." Sandhu then expressed her opinion on the issue while asking the media person to ask her about her journey, the hurdles faced by her and the success that she achieved in the beauty pageant held last year.

Suggested Reading: Here’s The Answer That Made Harnaaz Sandhu Miss Universe 2021

Harnaaz Sandhu Viral Video

Before suggesting to the journalist to ask her other questions, Sandhu talked about the issues on the hijab. She 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 your own."

Recently the three-judge bench of the Karnataka High Court heard the plea filed by students from the Udupi district of the state on the hijab issue. They gave a verdict in favour of the education ministry, which had banned hijab in colleges and schools. The court also said that the headscarf is not an essential religious practice and the uniform rules by the education ministry need to be followed.

Sandhu was declared Miss Universe on December 13, 2021. The 21-year-old resident of Chandigarh brought the crown to India after 21 years. The ceremony for the beauty pageant was held at Eilat, Israel. It was her final answer that let her win. On being asked about the advice that they (the beauty pageants) would give to young women who are dealing with pressure, Sandhu said, "The biggest pressure the youth today is facing, is to believe in themselves, to know that you are unique makes you beautiful."

She continued, "Stop comparing yourself with others and let's talk about more important things that are happening worldwide. Come out, speak for yourself, because you are the leader of your life. You are the voice of your own. I believe in myself and that is why I am standing here today."

(Feature Image Credit: ETV Bharat)