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Priyanka Chopra accused of ‘encouraging nuclear war’ over tweet as tensions between India and Pakistan escalate

Written by on 12/08/2019

Actress Priyanka Chopra has been called a hypocrite and accused of “encouraging nuclear war” over a tweet she posted supporting Indian armed forces amid escalating tensions with Pakistan.

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The Indian star, a former Miss World who made her name in Bollywood before moving to the US, was questioned by a woman in the audience during a Q&A at a cosmetics event in Los Angeles.

The woman, who later named herself on Twitter as Ayesha Malik, was handed the microphone to ask a question at the BeautyCon event.

“It was kind of hard hearing you talk about humanity, because as your neighbour, a Pakistani, I know you’re a bit of a hypocrite,” Ms Malik said.

She cited a tweet sent by Chopra’s official account on 26 February in which the actress wrote “Jai Hind”, meaning “victory to India“.

The post included the hashtag #IndianArmedForces.

Nuclear-equipped India and Pakistan have already fought two wars over the legitimacy of Kashmir and the area has been a source of continued tension since independence in 1947.

Tensions over the future of the Himalyan territory escalated dramatically a week ago when India announced it had decided to revoke the territory’s special status which guaranteed it certain autonomy.

Malik added: “You are a Unicef ambassador for peace and you’re encouraging nuclear war against Pakistan. There’s no winner in this.

“As a Pakistani, millions of people like me have supported you in your business of Bollywood.”

Staff then grabbed the microphone away. Chopra, who is married to US pop star Nick Jonas, replied: “I hear you. Whenever you’re done venting. Got it? Done? Okay, cool.”

Chopra, 37, responded by saying that “war is not something that I’m really fond of, but I am patriotic”, adding: ” I think that all of us have a sort of middle ground that we all have to walk.”

She added: “The way you came at me right now, girl, don’t yell. We’re all here for love. Don’t yell. Don’t embarrass yourself.

“Thank you for your enthusiasm and your question and your voice.”

Malik later posted several tweets with videos of the conversation. “Sorry, didn’t realize that speaking on a humanitarian crisis was ‘venting’,” she said in one.

In response to one Twitter user who said the crisis would now get more media coverage, she said: “And that’s exactly why I did what I did.”

Other celebrity speakers at BeautyCon 2019 include Ciara, Kelly Rowland and Tina Knowles.

(c) Sky News 2019: Priyanka Chopra accused of ‘encouraging nuclear war’ over tweet as tensions between India and Pakistan escalate