‘Priyanka Chopra retains right to speak in her personal capacity’: UN denies Pak’s demand to drop actor as peace ambassador

Denying Pakistan’s demand that Priyanka Chopra should be dropped as UNICEF goodwill ambassador post her ‘Jai Hind’ tweet, UN has said that the actor has the right to speak in her personal capacity.

UNICEF goodwill ambassador Priyanka Chopra, who has been under intense criticism for her ‘Jai Hind’ tweet after India’s retaliatory attack on terror camps in Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir, retains the right to speak in her personal capacity on issues concerning her, according to a UN spokesperson.

UN has said Priyanka Chopra has the right to speak in her personal capacity.

When UNICEF Goodwill Ambassadors “speak in their personal capacity, they retain the right to speak about issues that interest or concern them,” Stephane Dujarric, the spokesperson for Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, said at his daily briefing on Thursday in answer to a question about Priyanka.

“Their personal views or actions do not necessarily reflect those of UNICEF,” he said, adding, “When they speak on behalf of the UNICEF, we expect them to adhere to UNICEF’s evidence-based impartial positions.” About their role, he said: “The UNICEF Goodwill Ambassadors are prominent individuals who have agreed to generously volunteer their time and their public profile to promote children’s rights.”

Priyanka has been hit by a barrage of criticism and trolled ever since she tweeted on February 26, “Jai Hind #IndianArmedForces,” followed by emojis of the Indian flag and namaste.

Pakistan’s human rights minister Shireen Mazari wrote this week to UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore demanding Chopra’s removal as a Goodwill Ambassador accusing her of “jingoism and support” for the Indian armed forces.

Mazari alleged that Chopra showed “support for war, including a nuclear war,” even though the actress and 2000 Miss World has not said anything beyond the tweet made in the aftermath of the carbomb attack by Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed that killed more than 40 Central Reserve Police personnel and the Indian Air Force counterstrike on the organisation’s base in Pakistan.

Watch: Bollywood backs Priyanka as Pakistan demands her removal as UN ambassador

Mazari added: “Unless she is removed immediately, the very idea of a Goodwill Ambassador for Peace becomes a mockery globally.”

A Pakistani woman heckled Chopra recently at Beautycon event in Los Angeles earlier this month over the tweet. Chopra has also found support from citizens and celebrities in social media and in statements. Among those showing support for her in recent days include actors Ayushmann Khurrana, Kangana Ranaut and Anupria Goenka.