These kids are our family members: Waseem Badami responds to backlash after inviting child vloggers

Host was recently slammed by actor Mishi Khan for adding five-year-old Shiraz to Ramazan transmission’s lineup

After Waseem Badami found himself at the centre of public scrutiny following his decision to invite Shiraz, a popular child vlogger from Gilgit Baltistan, to his Ramazan show, the renowned anchorperson and host has come forward with a response during the live transmission on Tuesday.

The invitation extended to Shiraz came hot on the heels of Badami's previous inclusion of viral sensation Ahmad Shah and his brothers in his Ramazan transmission lineup. While these appearances are often adored by viewers, many have raised concerns regarding the potential consequences of exposing young talents to the limelight.

Notably, veteran actor Mishi Khan took to her Instagram to voice her apprehensions. In a heartfelt plea, she questioned the necessity of subjecting children like Shiraz to the pressures of fame, urging Badami to reconsider his choices.

Responding to the criticism, the Ramazan show host addressed the concerns, firmly stating, “All these kids…I said to their parents two weeks ago, and I mean it because I am fasting, I said that I would treat these kids like I would my own children. I am a parent myself and I believe in karma.”

Badami furthered on, “All these kids are our family members. At times, they reach the show before we call them. We say, take it easy but they insist that they are having fun. This is not an exam or an assignment, they have fun here.”

Stressing that the showrunners and everyone involved in the decision to feature these kids in the transmission are concerned about their wellbeing, he described how the children’s education is one pivotal concern. He said, “I won’t go into details but even on other fronts like education, their parents are strictly asked about their schooling and only after ascertaining that they are given the opportunity for Ramazan transmission.”

As per Badami, his association with Shiraz and other kids is comparable to any person coming across a child at an event and spending time with them. “When we go to a dawat or a wedding and we come across a kid and sit down with them to spend time together, we’re not making them work for us, are we? We don’t ‘kill their innocence, do we?’” he emphasised the familial bond shared with the young talents featured on his show.

While many adore these appearances by children on the show, there is some truth to the argument made about the consequences of exposing them to the limelight and possibly extensive working hours. Mishi took to her Instagram to address the same.

"Why why why?" began Mishi in her caption alongside her video on Instagram. "Why did you have to book Shiraz for the Ramazan transmission and take away his organic sweet innocence? Before it was Ahmad Shah who sounds like an adult now only because of the bad city environment. Please leave the children alone and don’t take away their innocence for God’s sake," she requested.

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