Pakistani actor Javed Sheikh has caused a stir on the internet by being open about his thoughts on the controversial feminist phrase “Mera Jism Meri Marzi.” The famous actor had a casual conversation with the host of the show, FHM Pakistan, Adnan Faisal.
“I am against ‘Mera Jism Meri Marzi,'” Sheikh said, making his point clear. The Bin Roye actor went on to say, “If you ask me, it isn’t even proper for girls to say this, like it’s my choice to do whatever I want.” He was talking about how famous the slogan is among young women.
People have said bad things about the chant ever since it was used at the first Aurat March in Karachi in 2018. Feminist leaders, activists, and workers have talked about the slogan’s usefulness in bringing attention to reproductive rights, gender-based violence, and teaching consent many times over the years. People still think that “Mera Jism Meri Marzi” is Western propaganda meant to destroy traditional ideals, even though there have been many arguments against this.
“It’s an Islamic country; you are born into a Muslim family and grow up in one,” Sheikh said, explaining why he thought the phrase didn’t fit with Pakistan’s religion and culture. In reaction, podcast host Faisal said that the feminist call is meant to make people more aware of the right to bodily consent, which is the same for both men and women.
“I don’t agree with this,” the Teefa in Trouble character said. It’s just what I think. Yes, we live in very “modern” times, but I still think that a woman has her own unique spirit. She seems modest. “In my opinion, the more a woman is covered, the more beautiful she is,” the famous person said, adding that he was free to believe what he wanted, even though mainstream culture is becoming more open to different ways of life.
Sheikh replied to the host’s point that modern culture is characterized by “jeans and t-shirts,” making it hard to hold on to old-fashioned ideas of modesty. He said that the culture may be “like this,” but he is not.
Many famous people in the entertainment industry have strong feelings about the slogan. The veteran Pakistani star has had many successful supporting roles in Bollywood hits like Om Shanti Om and Namaste London. Not long ago, a video interview clip of Pakistani actor Faysal Qureshi talking about “Mera Jism Meri Marzi” went viral online. Faisal also talked about the movie on his show.
The Fitoor actor said about the slogan’s negative response, “People have turned ‘Mera Jism Meri Marzi’ into a joke!”” It’s all about permission. Even though he was a man, he said, “I expect respect for my consent.” He agreed with the show host.
The actor talked about what he thought about consent and raping a spouse in a way that was acceptable in their culture and religion. “Yes, our religion says that when men call their wives, they have to go, but there’s a reason for that,” he replied. A demand like that comes after a lot of other things that guys have to do first. That includes the five prayers, giving, and making money the right way.
The Bashar Momin star used the model of the Prophet (Sunnah) in Islam as a complete way to approach marriage without separating it from other religious duties. “You haven’t learned that, but you are fixated on one thing,” Qureshi said, not liking how people pick and choose what they believe.
