Shabana Azmi criticizes Kangana Ranaut for her remarks on hijab controversy

Several celebrities have weighed in on the debate over whether or not female students should be allowed to wear Islamic head coverings to schools and colleges in the midst of the country's ongoing hijab controversy. 

Recently, Bollywood actress Kangana Ranaut shared her thoughts on the matter, a day after veteran actress and BJP MP Hema Malini did. 

Let us tell you, that the students from the Government Girls PU College in the Udupi district were allegedly denied entry due to their hijab, a head covering worn by Muslim women. The Thalaivii actress is known for her upfront opinions about the happenings in society.

The actress shared on her Instagram story a post by author Anand Ranganathan and wrote in response to saying,

"If you want to show courage, show it by not wearing a burqa in Afghanistan, Learn to break free, not cage yourself." 

Shabana Azmi responded to Kangana's statement, writing, 

"Correct me if I'm wrong but Afghanistan is a theocratic state and when I last checked India was a secular democratic republic?!!!"

For the unversed, a ban on wearing hijab in schools and colleges in Karnataka has caused a huge uproar and protests in the state. The Karnataka government has invoked Section 133(2) of the Karnataka Education Act-1983, which states all students must wear uniform clothing. 

Amid continuing tensions over the wearing of hijab by a section of students in Karnataka, a three-judge bench of the Karnataka High Court will hear the case in this matter today.

On the work front, Kangana will next be seen in Dhaakad and Tejas. The actress will also be making her digital debut as a producer in the film Tiku Weds Sheru starring Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Avneet Kaur in the leads. Moreover, she is also set to venture into the digital platform with a reality show, ‘LOCK UPP’ where she has collaborated with Ekta Kapoor.