AR Rahman On Being Criticised For Making Daughter Khatija Wear Burqa, 'It’s Her Choice’

Not very long ago, a Bangladeshi-Swedish writer and feminist, Taslima Nasreen had taken to her social media and in her now-deleted tweet, she criticised music maestro AR Rahman and his daughter Khatija for making the latter wear burqa. She had written, “I absolutely love A R Rahman's music. But whenever I see his dear daughter, I feel suffocated. It is really depressing to learn that even educated women in a cultural family can get brainwashed very easily!” However, Khatija was quick to give her a befitting response.

Now, in a conversation with The Quint, the Oscar-winning musician has shared his two cents on the criticism. AR Rahman revealed that he didn’t get in the controversy because he trusted his daughter Khatija to handle it herself and with grace. “I think what’s good is if we bring them up in a way that they (children) know our troubles, they know our problems. They know that they have to inherit the good and the bad from us. That’s it. And then, they are given free will and she did it and then I asked her, ‘What about the next question? Did you answer that?’ (She said) that’s it, daddy, I am done,” said the music composer.

Upon being asked if Khatija asked for his opinion before replying Taslima, he denied and said that she is wearing the veil because it’s her choice. As per him, wearing a burqa is more of a psychological thing than religious because “she sang a song and around 10 million people were having it as their ringtone. If you take a little kid who is an introvert and suddenly people are spamming them with good and bad, anybody would shut off,” he added. AR Rahman added that he wouldn’t mind wearing burqa too; however, a male isn’t supposed to. He also praised Khatija over her simplicity.

Khatija, in her response to Taslima, had written, “I’m sorry you feel suffocated by my attire. Please get some fresh air, cause I don’t feel suffocated rather I’m proud and empowered for what I stand for. I suggest you google up what true feminism means because it isn’t bashing other women down nor bringing their fathers into the issue. I also don’t recall sending my photos to you for your perusal.”