those who refuse to do namaste in yoga leaving palms unwed
deeming the gesture to be such an infidel deed
she stood up to them and cowered not with her uncovered head
gleaming is that gesture to such an intolerant creed
why should one nation by its rule international players tame?
Soumya refused to be a pawn in their dictatorial game.
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/Soumya Swaminathan -Woman Grandmaster and former world junior girls' champion has pulled out of the Asian Team Chess Championship, to be held in Hamadan, , from July 26 to August 4, calling the Islamic country's "compulsory headscarf" rule violative of her personal rights.
"I do not wish to be forced to wear a headscarf or . I find the Iranian law of compulsory headscarf to be in direct violation of my basic human rights, including my right to freedom of expression and right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion. It seems that under the present circumstances, the only way for me to protect my rights is to not go to Iran," the 29-year-old, who is India No. 5 and world No. 97 among women, posted on her Facebook account. [source: The Times of India]/
