‘Double standards’: Priyanka Chopra criticised for speaking for Iran women

United Nations goodwill ambassador and famed Indian actress Priyanka Chopra, among other Indian celebrities, is facing criticism for voicing Mahsa Amini’s death in Iran but choosing to remain silent on human rights violations against Muslims in her home country, India. 

Chopra, 40, who lives in the US, took to Instagram where she has over 82 million followers, to support the protests in Iran, hailing women for fighting the government, asking followers to “stay informed and be vocal”.

“To ensure that this movement will have a lasting effect, we must hear their call, understand the issues and then join in with our collective voices,” she wrote.

Irani women are protesting in support of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old girl who died in custody after being detained for not wearing the hijab “properly”. Thousands have taken to the streets, publicly burnt their hijabs, and cut their hair, protesting against the authorities. Dozens have been reported to be killed amid the chaos.

Chopra said that she was in “awe” of the courage of these women, adding that it was “not easy to risk life, to challenge the patriarchal establishment, and fight for your rights.”