India's ace shooter Heena Sidhu has made a bold statement by refusing to wear the hijab for competing in an Airgun competititon in Iran. The tournament, Asian Airgun Shooting Championship, is slated to be held in December in Tehran.

AFP

Heena, who is the defending champion, has withdrawn from the meet because of Iran’s insistence on female contestants adhering to the dress code according to which it is mandatory for female participants to wear the 'hijab'.

"Forcing tourists or foreign guests to wear 'hijab' is against the spirit of the game. Since I don't like it, I have withdrawn my name," Heena told Times of India. "You follow your religion and let me follow mine. I’ll not participate in this competition if you are going to force me to comply with your religious beliefs," she said.

The organisers have made it clear on their official website that the female contestants will have to wear clothes in compliance with the rules of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

AFP

Later, in a series of tweets, she justified her decision to pull out of the tournament.

There have been reports abt me skipping the Asian air weapon competition in Iran due to their practice of making women wear hijab. (1) — Heena sidhu (@HeenaSidhu10) October 29, 2016

Im not a revolutionary. But I feel dat making it mandatory for even a sportsperson to wear hijab is not in the spirit of a Sport. (2) — Heena sidhu (@HeenaSidhu10) October 29, 2016

Im proud 2 b sportsperson coz ppl from diff cultures, backgrouds, sexes, ideologies, religion can cum 2gether n compete without biases (3) — Heena sidhu (@HeenaSidhu10) October 29, 2016

Sport is an exhibition of sheer Human Effort nPerformance. Our ability to dig deep for Strength, Will Power and Determination. (4) — Heena sidhu (@HeenaSidhu10) October 29, 2016

This is d reason I compete n I cannot compete for anything lesser than this. But I wud also not have my personal opinion politicised (5) — Heena sidhu (@HeenaSidhu10) October 29, 2016

I thank the NRAI for respecting my views n I wud also like 2wish luck 2 r team competing in Iran. Lets concentrate on competition dan hijab — Heena sidhu (@HeenaSidhu10) October 29, 2016

AFP

Then, there were people massively supporting her...

@IndiaToday #Heena Sidhu ought2b congratulated on her decision2 pull out the event.No civilised person should put up with medieval rules. — edakunni wariyar (@thampuran) October 29, 2016

Massive respect @HeenaSidhu10 ?? You win the medal for having a spine and doing the right thing.?????????????????? #GoHeena — Shocking If True (@reviewero) October 29, 2016