‘I’m a liberal, woke feminist’: If you don’t like Armeena Khan’s social media content, you can ‘look elsewhere’

It’s not always possible to ignore hate on social media, especially for public figures and celebrities. Actor Armeena Khan certainly isn’t putting up with misogyny and hate and took to Instagram to expose comments on social media directed towards to her as well as other women.

On Tuesday, the actor shared screenshots of comments she had seen online where a user criticised someone for the way they dressed. It escalated to someone judging her faith and saying that, as a practicing Muslim, she “should cover” herself.

When a user called their style of dressing “cheap” and claimed that by “exposing” themselves, these women were inviting comments, Khan responded, “Even iblees [the devil] has minions, and so it is with all evil. This is an example of a dark soul, who enables misogyny to remain. Imagine, if something happened to her own future daughter or a member of her family. We’ve only just seen a viral video of a burka clad woman groped in the street and the man in the question remains at large. I doubt this is anything to do with clothing but more with mindsets.” Her words came with a disclaimer that the comment was aimed at someone else.

But her commentary was met with multiple critical DMs, including one saying that “Islamic education is must for everyone”.

“As a Muslim, why are you on Instagram? I don’t understand. For example, if you don’t drink why are you in a pub? If you’re so Islamic get off this non’Muslim owned enterprise if it so offends you so and go be a ‘proper’ Muslim,” she replied.

She added, “The truth is most of you are just cultists and demand rights you others.”

Another comment pointed fingers at Pakistani actors stepping in to defend Indian actors to which Khan responded that the person had initially spoken about ageing. “I agree with her because even here, an actor after a certain age is sidelined. But it’s not your fault, perhaps you don’t have enough exposure or thought process to understand the depth of the given topic.”

She ended that the people she aimed at understood her point. She justified her response by issuing a statement that she has the right to put out her opinions just as much as the users who have the right not to consume those opinions. “But please make no mistake, I’m a liberal, feminist, woke (whatever labels you wish to endow me with) plus a constructive, tolerant, contributing member of my society. My views are in accordance with global principles and values,” she wrote.

Khan also said that she is very vocal on social causes so if anyone finds it unpalatable then she’s afraid most of them will find “this space extremely hostile”. The Bin Roye actor suggested that people look elsewhere if they want individuals that cater to their specific world view.

This is not the first time the actor has checked her DMs and responded to haters very publicly. Previously, Khan had dropped facts about the Aurat March for a follower who seemed confused about the movement itself. “People may associate this march to be a waste of time but this is exactly the kind of voice we need, to shake up the decision-makers and the leaders. More voice [means] more pressure on the authorities to prioritise cases of domestic violence and femicide, to at least provide justice and authority,” she said.