Celebs lash out at Sadaf Kanwal for treating 'feminism' like a dirty word

Many feel model's comments have trivialised movement meant to protect and empower women.

Popular model Sadaf Kanwal became an internet sensation after her recent interview on a local TV channel went viral. Her statements in this interview led people, who’d previously call her ‘fahaash’ or a 'home-wrecker', to dub her Pakistan’s best bhabhi. However, for the good or bad of it, it also left many to draw parallels between her and screenwriter Khalilur Rehman Qamar.

“Just noticed, Sadaf Kanwal is a female version of Khalilur Rehman Qamar. You nailed it Sadaf!” wrote a Twitter user. Others chimed in sharing similar sentiments while posting photos of the writer and the celeb.

However, while many lauded her, ‘Sherry’ memes gave her a tough competition. And aside from everyone who felt validated by her opinions about feminism, many, including a few celebs were disappointed by her 'trivialising' of a movement that has empowered women with the privileges that models like Sadaf have enjoyed and built careers because of.

“When you don't know the definition of feminism, start rambling about ironing your husband's clothes. EPIC!” actor and model Sabeeka Imam tweeted. She went on to add, “There is nothing wrong with ironing clothes and picking up socks. Every human has their own way of expressing love. But a woman’s world does not begin and end there, as opposed to what Mrs. Sabzwari has portrayed.”

When you don't know the definition of feminism... start rambling about ironing your husband's clothes. EPIC! 👏🏼

— Sabeeka Imam (@SabeekaImam) July 30, 2021

Kapre press karna ya socks uthane mein koi burai nahi hai. Har kisi insaan ke pyar karne ke andaaz aur khayal rakhne ke tareeqay apne apne hote hain. Woh aap uski achayi samjhlen ya uska pyar. LEKIN ek aurat ki duniya yahan shuru aur khatam nahi hoti as portrayed by Mrs. Sabzwari

— Sabeeka Imam (@SabeekaImam) July 31, 2021

She went on to clarify that people may have become “allergic” to the term ‘feminism’ but that is only because of “misleading ideologies.” She also shared in her Insta Stories, “This is not Sadaf’s fault, poor girl will only say what she knows. I think the host should not have asked Sadaf such a serious question. Hosts need to be responsible in what they ask so that such topics don’t become trivial.”

It seems like "Feminism" ke lafz se kaafi logon ko allergy hai due to misleading ideologies. Feminism lafz acha nahi lagta to bas itna samjh lein... ek aurat ko bhi INSAAN samjhein! It is just a plea to all the men we have to face in our daily lives & throughout our entire lives.

— Sabeeka Imam (@SabeekaImam) July 31, 2021

But Sabeeka wasn’t the only one. Television personality Mathira also took to her Instagram to call out the model. She wrote, “Seriously, there are also women who run the house like single moms. When will we understand that there is no competition between a man and woman? If they are together, they should be side by side not above or below. If a man takes care of the family, that’s good, bless him. But being a house wife is also a full-time job. Also, if some men are good, others are toxic. If one is blessed with a good man, she should not speak for all the women, she should speak for herself!”

Mathira went on to assert that several domestic violence cases in the society are prompted by the mindset that “if a man earns, he is above a woman.” Social media personality Dananeer Mobeen also felt ‘scared’ to see “women with so much influence and exposure talking like this.”

Reiterating what Sadaf said, Dananeer commented, “’I should know everything about what my husband needs and wants but he doesn’t have to?’ You’re his wife not his maid! Both of you should be aware of each other’s needs and wants. And please, stop using the term ‘feminism’ in such a derogatory manner, as if it’s some ‘yahoodi saazish’. It’s meant to help women get their basic rights and a voice, God!”

However, actor Ali Abbas attempted to defend Sadaf by saying, “Apka jism apki marzi, uska shauhar, uski marzi (Your body, your choice. Her husband, her choice).” Notorious screenwriter Khalilur Rehman also defended Sadaf's comments in a recent talk show. He said, "Sadaf Kanwal has not imposed anything on anyone, whatever she is doing at her home for her husband is her personal act. Where is it even happening in the houses, if a lady is doing such things for her husband it is not wrong at all. Sadaf Kanwal has not said anything wrong, people can do whatever they want to do. No one has the right to shout and impose their rules on anyone."

During this interview, when asked about her views on Aurat March and feminism, Sadaf had said, “Our culture is our husband. I married him, which means I have to pick up his shoes and iron his clothes. I know where all of Shahroz’s things are and what and when he has to eat. I need to know these things because I am his wife and I am a woman. He doesn’t have to know the same about me. This is what I believe because this is what I’ve grown up seeing. This feminism that has become a part of our lives, it’s because of liberals,” shared the model.

On the note, when asked about her performance in an item number in Na Maloom Afraad 2, Sadaf explained, “When you’re younger, there are a lot of things that you don’t understand. This is something Rabia Butt has said in an interview as well. You end up wearing those clothes and doing that work, and when you begin to understand, the time has changed. I don’t think I’ll wear those clothes or do that kind of work again.”

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