12 May,2026 01:32 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Sheema Kirmani (A still from the protest)
Pakistani classical dancer and women's rights activist Sheema Kirmani has found herself at the centre of a major controversy after videos showing her being escorted and allegedly manhandled by policewomen in Karachi went viral on social media. The incident took place during a protest linked to the upcoming Aurat March, reigniting conversations around women's rights and freedom of expression in Pakistan.
Kirmani, widely recognised as one of Pakistan's most prominent Bharatanatyam dancers, was among several activists briefly detained outside the Karachi Press Club. According to reports, Aurat March organisers had gathered to demand a no-objection certificate (NOC) for their annual march when police intervened and detained multiple participants.
The visuals of Kirmani being taken away by female officers quickly spread online, triggering outrage from activists, artists and social media users. Many supporters criticised the police action and described it as symbolic of the difficulties faced by women activists in Pakistan. The backlash intensified after videos from the scene circulated widely across digital platforms.
Born in Rawalpindi in 1951, Sheema Kirmani has spent decades promoting classical dance, theatre and feminist activism in Pakistan. She is especially known for preserving Bharatanatyam despite resistance from conservative groups who opposed classical dance performances. Over the years, she has become a leading cultural figure associated with progressive politics and women's rights movements.
Younger audiences around the world may also recognise Kirmani from her appearance in the globally successful Coke Studio track Pasoori by Ali Sethi and Shae Gill. Her Bharatanatyam performance in the music video drew international attention and introduced her work to a newer generation of viewers.
Apart from dance, Kirmani is also the founder of Tehrik-e-Niswan, a feminist cultural organisation that has worked on theatre, education and women's rights awareness campaigns in Pakistan since the late 1970s. She has openly spoken about gender inequality, artistic freedom and violence against women throughout her career.
Following the backlash over the Karachi incident, Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hasan Lanjar reportedly ordered the release of the detained activists. Authorities later suspended three police officers after an inquiry into the alleged mistreatment of Aurat March organisers and activists.
