Hats off to Soumya: Twitterati, Mohammad Kaif hail Indian chess star for refusing to wear hijab in Iran

Indian chess star Soumya Swaminathan pulled out of the Asian Team Chess Championship, to be held in Hamadan, Iran because of the compulsory-headscarf rule. Swaminathan said that 'there is no place for an enforceable religious dress code in Sports.' She also said that the imposition is direct violation of her basic human rights including her right to freedom of expression, and right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion.

Swaminathan's decision was applauded by the many and former cricketer and now a commentator Mohammad Kaif was one the people to lead the appreciation notes on social media.

Kaif wrote, "Hats off to Soumya Swaminathan for pulling out of this event in Iran. There should be no scope for religious dress codes to be imposed on Players. A host nation should not be granted permission to host such international events if it fails to consider basic human rights."

Hats off to Soumya Swaminathan for pulling out of this event in Iran.
There should be no scope for religious dress codes to be imposed on Players. A host nation should not be granted permission to host auch international events if it fails to consider basic human rights. pic.twitter.com/soQ9SVHYS6

— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) June 13, 2018

Kaif was not alone. Twitterati praised Swaminathan to have taken such decision.

In a world full of hypocrites and politically correct fakes, In a land that rewards servility in women, it takes a certain type to take a stance.

WGM Soumya Swaminathan,refuses headscarf, pulls out of Iran chess tournament . https://t.co/fiOTzVKjZd

— Kasturi Shankar (@KasthuriShankar) June 12, 2018

1) Now, Indian chess star Soumya Swaminathan says no to Hjab, pulls out of event in Iran

2) In 2016 Indian shooter Heena Sidhu withdrew from tournament in Iran, said won't wear Hijab

Shame on Iran. Religious dress codes should not be imposed on Players. Salute to Soumya & Heena

— Anshul Saxena (@AskAnshul) June 13, 2018

Indian chess star Soumya Swaminathan withdraws from participation in Iran. The mullahs insisted on hijab which she rightly refused to abide. This is one caricature of Islam, another is led by the Saudi Wahabis. Shame.https://t.co/9B8rT3o6BJ

— S lrfan Habib (@irfhabib) June 13, 2018

More power to girls like Soumya Swaminathan ! Three cheers to you girl

— Sanghi Shikanji (@ExSecular) June 13, 2018

In her Facebook post, Swaminathan had said, "It is a huge honour for me to represent India everytime I am selected in the National Team and I deeply regret that I will be unable to participate in such an important championship. While we sportspersons are willing to make several adjustments for the sake of our sport, always giving it top priority in our life, some things simply cannot be compromised."

Swaminathan isn't the first Indian athlete to pull out of tournaments held in Iran. Indian shooter Heena Sidhu had withdrawn from the Asian Airgun meet in Iran in 2016 citing the same reason.

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