Armeena Khan asks UNICEF to distance itself from Priyanka Chorpa
Actor calls out Chorpa for 'deprecates peace in favour of her patriotism, including human rights, children, war or UN'
Bollywood actor and UN Goodwill ambassador, Priyanka Chorpa, came under fire when she gas-lighted a Pakistani woman, Aisha Malik, who called her a hypocrite for promoting war.
At a BeautyCon appearance, Chopra was given an earful about an earlier Jai Hind tweet during a height of nuclear tensions between Pakistan and India.
At an incident in Los Angeles, the actor responded to Malik's query by saying, “I have many, many friends from Pakistan and I am from India. War is not something I’m really fond of but I am patriotic, so I’m sorry if I hurt sentiments of people who do love me and have loved me. But I think that all of us have a, sort of, middle ground that we all have to walk. Just like you probably do as well. The way that you came at me right now… girl, don’t yell. We’re all here for love.”
The video of Malik calling out the former Miss World went viral over the weekend. Malik had questioned the Bajirao Mastani actor's role as a United Nations Goodwill ambassador over the actor's controversial tweet congratulating the Indian Air Force for their attack in Pakistan earlier this year.
“You are United Nations Goodwill ambassador for peace and you are encouraging nuclear war in Pakistan. There is no way you are in this… As a Pakistani, millions of people, like ,me, have supported you in your business,” Malik said at the event.
Now, Pakistani star Armeena Khan, along with fiance Fesl Khan has penned an open letter to the UN, urging the organisation to distance itself from the actor.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B1FFs-AjPAs/
The actor called out Chopra for "deprecating peace in favour of her patriotism at any cost".
Khan asked UNICEF if it endorses Chopra's stance on patriotism.
"Your Good Will Ambassador stated, ‘War is not something that | am really fond of but | am patriotic” (the full reply is in the public domain). The interaction was condescending and used the same lexicon e.g. ‘I have many Pakistani friends”, used by racists the world over," she went on. "The situation was manipulated to make Ms Malik appear as an irrational, aggressive individual and her legitimate question was dismissed as ‘venting’. This was about power, reflecting exactly the response that the Kashmiri people meet from the Indian State. It is clear Mrs Chopra- Jonas deprecates peace in favour of her patriotism at any cost, including human rights, children, war or UNICEF's values."
Khan further stated in the letter shared on social media,"With this in mind and the repeated stance of Mrs Chopra-Jonas, we are sure that we echo the thoughts of many people in asking whether UNICEF endorses Mrs Chopra-Jonas' stance on patriotism? Do you think it is acceptable for you to work with partisan partners who support war?"
"Mrs Chopra-Jonas will be tarnished by her stance going forward, as will those associating themselves with her. Ultimately it is your responsibility, as Executive Director to act promptly in safeguarding the reputation of UNICEF," added the Janaan star.
She urged UNICEF to distance itself from ambassadorships that are incongruent with its organisational values and culture.
"Mrs Chopra-Jonas will be tarnished by her stance going forward, as will those associating themselves with her. Ultimately it is your responsibility, as Executive Director, to act promptly in safeguarding the reputation of UNICEF," the actor continued.
"If you are not prepared to act upon our legitimate concerns then it will leave us with no option but to distance ourselves from UNICEF, encouraging our elected representatives and others to work toward the same."
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At a BeautyCon appearance, Chopra was given an earful about an earlier Jai Hind tweet during a height of nuclear tensions between Pakistan and India.
At an incident in Los Angeles, the actor responded to Malik's query by saying, “I have many, many friends from Pakistan and I am from India. War is not something I’m really fond of but I am patriotic, so I’m sorry if I hurt sentiments of people who do love me and have loved me. But I think that all of us have a, sort of, middle ground that we all have to walk. Just like you probably do as well. The way that you came at me right now… girl, don’t yell. We’re all here for love.”
The video of Malik calling out the former Miss World went viral over the weekend. Malik had questioned the Bajirao Mastani actor's role as a United Nations Goodwill ambassador over the actor's controversial tweet congratulating the Indian Air Force for their attack in Pakistan earlier this year.
“You are United Nations Goodwill ambassador for peace and you are encouraging nuclear war in Pakistan. There is no way you are in this… As a Pakistani, millions of people, like ,me, have supported you in your business,” Malik said at the event.
Now, Pakistani star Armeena Khan, along with fiance Fesl Khan has penned an open letter to the UN, urging the organisation to distance itself from the actor.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B1FFs-AjPAs/
The actor called out Chopra for "deprecating peace in favour of her patriotism at any cost".
Khan asked UNICEF if it endorses Chopra's stance on patriotism.
"Your Good Will Ambassador stated, ‘War is not something that | am really fond of but | am patriotic” (the full reply is in the public domain). The interaction was condescending and used the same lexicon e.g. ‘I have many Pakistani friends”, used by racists the world over," she went on. "The situation was manipulated to make Ms Malik appear as an irrational, aggressive individual and her legitimate question was dismissed as ‘venting’. This was about power, reflecting exactly the response that the Kashmiri people meet from the Indian State. It is clear Mrs Chopra- Jonas deprecates peace in favour of her patriotism at any cost, including human rights, children, war or UNICEF's values."
Khan further stated in the letter shared on social media,"With this in mind and the repeated stance of Mrs Chopra-Jonas, we are sure that we echo the thoughts of many people in asking whether UNICEF endorses Mrs Chopra-Jonas' stance on patriotism? Do you think it is acceptable for you to work with partisan partners who support war?"
"Mrs Chopra-Jonas will be tarnished by her stance going forward, as will those associating themselves with her. Ultimately it is your responsibility, as Executive Director to act promptly in safeguarding the reputation of UNICEF," added the Janaan star.
She urged UNICEF to distance itself from ambassadorships that are incongruent with its organisational values and culture.
"Mrs Chopra-Jonas will be tarnished by her stance going forward, as will those associating themselves with her. Ultimately it is your responsibility, as Executive Director, to act promptly in safeguarding the reputation of UNICEF," the actor continued.
"If you are not prepared to act upon our legitimate concerns then it will leave us with no option but to distance ourselves from UNICEF, encouraging our elected representatives and others to work toward the same."
Have something to add to the story? Share it in the comments below.