India chess player quits Iran tournament over headscarf rule.

Pedro_P

Soumya Swaminathan

▼ Indian chess champion Soumya Swaminathan has pulled out of an Asian tournament in Iran over the country's compulsory headscarf rule.
The 29-year-old Woman Grandmaster said the rule was a violation of her personal rights.
"Under the present circumstances, the only way for me to protect my rights is not to go to Iran," she wrote in a Facebook post, which went viral.
The Asian Chess Championship will take place in Iran next month.
Ms Swaminathan, who is ranked No 5 in India, told local media that the tournament was originally supposed to be held in Bangladesh. "But once the new dates and new venue came up, I excused myself," she said.
When asked if the All India Chess Federation (AICF) should have protested against the decision to shift location, she  told the Times of India: "I can't expect everyone to be of the same opinion as me. It's a subjective issue."
But in her Facebook post, Ms Swaminathan said she was "disappointed to see that player's rights and welfare are given such less importance while allotting and/or organising official championships".
She wrote that athletes often made adjustments for the sake of sport, but "enforceable religious dress" should not be one of them, adding that "some things simply cannot be compromised".
Many on social media have praised Ms Swaminathan for taking a stand. (▪ ▪ ▪)

► Read the full note here: Source

bsk

good decision

me4uinkolkata

Very brave and bold decision

xbmcmu

slow clap

jayyogeswarusa

Bravo. Excellent decision

parivijesh100

Hats off to the sports person. Religious belief should not be enforced on anyone & that too on an international tournament. In fact international tournament should not be organised at such countries.

soothsayer

Well done. She has really made her point. What business did those sponsors have in foisting this decision on her? I absolutely agree-such countries should not be selected as venues for any international events

poojalika

You go girl

sks

Very very good decision. Others should join her decision. That's only way to change the outdated non-sense. Speak up & stand up for your decision.

Amittkumarr

Players of other countries should be free and not be forced to follow the customs and traditions of host country. Her decision is commendable.