Archive · 18 Aug 2026
Zaira Wasim questions Waqf Board over girls' Independence Day dance
On Independence Day, a group called the Jammu and Kashmir Waqf Board held a big celebration.
During the event, some girls danced to a Kashmiri song.
A former actress named Zaira Wasim saw a video of the dance and asked questions about it.
She said the Waqf Board is a religious group that should follow Islamic values.
She felt the girls were being used like 'stage props,' which means like decorations in a show.
Wasim said children should instead be given chances to think, learn, create, and discuss.
Many people on social media also said the dance went against Islamic values.
The Waqf Board takes care of important Islamic shrines in Jammu and Kashmir.
The board's leader, Darakshan Andrabi, has not said anything about the criticism yet.
Former actress Zaira Wasim questioned the Jammu and Kashmir Waqf Board over girls dancing at its Independence Day event.
The girls, reportedly students at a waqf-run school, danced to a Kashmiri song by Abdul Rashid Hafiz.
Social media users alleged a 'violation of Islamic values by an institution established to uphold them.'
Wasim said the event reduced children to 'stage props and performers' and asked why girls are made to dance to 'irrelevant songs.'
Waqf Board chief and BJP leader Darakshan Andrabi has not reacted to the criticism.
- Who
- Former actress Zaira Wasim and social media users criticized the Jammu and Kashmir Waqf Board, whose chief is Darakshan Andrabi.
- What
- Girls danced to a Kashmiri song at an Independence Day event organized by the Waqf Board, sparking a controversy over Islamic values and the use of children as performers.
- When
- On Independence Day; the article does not specify the year.
- Where
- Jammu and Kashmir.
- Why
- Critics, including Wasim, said the event violated Islamic values and reduced children, particularly girls, to 'stage props and performers.'
Critics of the Waqf Board
Event organizers and supporters
Islamic values
Critics of the Waqf Board
Critics, including Zaira Wasim, say a religious body like the Waqf Board should uphold Islamic values and should have questioned the girls' dance at its event.
Event organizers and supporters
The Waqf Board organized the celebration and the video was shared by several pro-government social media handles, indicating the event was seen as acceptable.
Children's role in celebrations
Critics of the Waqf Board
Wasim says children were reduced to 'stage props and performers' and should instead be given opportunities to think, create, learn, discuss, build or contribute.
Event organizers and supporters
The event involved students in Independence Day celebrations, and the Waqf Board chief has not responded to the criticism.
- Event
- Independence Day celebrations
- Organizer
- Jammu and Kashmir Waqf Board
- Performers
- Girls, reportedly students at a waqf-run school
- Song
- Kashmiri song by Abdul Rashid Hafiz
- Critic
- Zaira Wasim, former actress known for Dangal, Secret Superstar and The Sky is Pink
- Waqf Board chief
- Darakshan Andrabi, a BJP leader
- Wasim's film career
- Quit films in 2019, citing faith and religious beliefs
- Response so far
- No reaction from Darakshan Andrabi