Zaira Wasim on locust controversy: My tweet was taken out of context

Zaira Wasim

Former Bollywood actress Zaira Wasim tweeted about locust attacks - "So We sent upon them the flood and locusts and lice and frogs and blood: Signs openly self explained: but they were steeped in arrogance -- a people given to sin. --Qur'an 7:133." Later, Zaira deleted her Twitter and Instagram accounts after being heavily trolled for quoting from the Quran. The ex-actress was trolled mercilessly for her comment on social media.

Now, clearing the air, Zaira wrote an open letter to journalist-writer Tarek Fatah and explained the 'this is wrath or a curse' statement made by her. Here's what the letter read.

When Zaira shared the tweet, she faced a lot of flak from social media users. Commenting on the post, a user wrote: "Lady you must have taken into account of those people of JK, Kerala and elsewhere who are also suffering from the virus. Moreover, the crops which are damaged by locust had no name as to who will consume them. In this hours of crisis please post something which is positive and reflects your education. [sic]"

Another user shared: "So according to you, with all due respect every year on the same time period, Allah send locust to India to destroy the crops of poor farmers who are not even involved in the industrial rise, who don't use vehicles to destroy the nature, and Allah send locust only to harm the poor farmers and not the rich one who actually destroy nature. [sic]"

"So those farmers who lost their fields of crops and will probably go into debt and may also commit suicide, those farmers who feed the nation, who feed you and everyone, are sinners? [sic]" asked yet another user.

For the unversed, speaking about her not being an actress anymore, Zaira quit acting after shooting The Sky Is Pink, her last release, along with Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Farhan Akhtar. Saying acting would be a hindrance to her religion, Zaira Wasim made a choice of not being a part of the industry. In an interview with mid-day, she also stated how she does not belong here.

Sharing the news with her followers on social media then, she wrote - "While I acknowledge with humility all the love people shower me with, I cannot emphasise enough how the praise that comes my way isn't gratifying at all for me and how big of a test it is for me and how dangerous it is for my Iman. I'm not as righteous as I might lead many to believe."

Though there are many who criticised the young actor's decision to quit showbiz, while a few Bollywood celebrities had unanimously said in June 2019 that it's her personal decision and praised Zaira for the solid performance in two of her films.

The actress made her Bollywood debut with Aamir Khan's sports drama, Dangal, and later, she was also a part of Secret Superstar. Her last film release was The Sky Is Pink.

Catch up on all the latest entertainment news and gossip here. Also, download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps.

Mid-Day is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel (@middayinfomedialtd) and stay updated with the latest news