Photos and videos of renowned Pakistani classical dancer and women’s rights activist Sheema Kirmani being escorted and allegedly manhandled by policewomen in Karachi have gone viral on social media, triggering outrage and renewed debate around women’s rights activism in Pakistan.According to Dawn, Kirmani was among seven Aurat March activists briefly detained by Sindh Police near the Karachi Press Club on Tuesday. The activists had gathered for a press conference demanding a no-objection certificate (NOC) for the upcoming Aurat March event in Karachi.Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hasan Lanjar later ordered the release of the detained activists. Aurat March organisers confirmed that Sheema Kirmani and transgender rights activist Shahzadi Rai were released shortly afterwards.The incident quickly sparked online searches around terms such as “Who is Sheema Kirmani?”, “Pasoori dancer Sheema Kirmani”, and “Pakistani Bharatanatyam dancer detained”.Who is Sheema Kirmani?Sheema Kirmani is one of Pakistan’s best-known classical dancers, theatre artists and feminist activists. Born on January 16, 1951, in Rawalpindi, she has spent decades promoting performing arts, women’s rights and progressive politics in Pakistan.Kirmani is particularly recognised for preserving and promoting Bharatanatyam in Pakistan despite resistance from conservative sections opposed to classical dance forms. Over the years, she has emerged as a prominent cultural figure in Karachi and across South Asia.Many younger audiences recognise her from the globally popular Coke Studio Pakistan track Pasoori by Ali Sethi and Shae Gill. Her Bharatanatyam performance in the music video received widespread international appreciation and introduced her work to a new generation of viewers.Activism, theatre and women’s rightsBeyond dance, Kirmani is the founder of Tehrik-e-Niswan, a cultural and feminist organisation established in the late 1970s. The group has long worked on women’s rights awareness, theatre performances, education and cultural activism in Pakistan.Kirmani has openly identified herself as a feminist and Marxist and has consistently spoken out on gender inequality, violence against women and artistic freedom. Through theatre productions, public campaigns and dance performances, she has remained a prominent voice for secular and progressive causes in Pakistan.Her role became especially significant during the military rule of Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq, when strict cultural and religious restrictions were imposed across the country. At a time when dance performances were discouraged, Kirmani continued teaching and performing classical dance.Family background and personal lifeSheema Kirmani comes from a prominent family background. Her father served in the Pakistan Army and later became chairman of the Karachi Electric Supply Corporation. Her paternal roots trace back to Lucknow and further to Kerman, while her maternal family belongs to Hyderabad.During visits to India in her younger years, she developed a strong interest in Indian classical arts and dance traditions, which later shaped her career in Bharatanatyam.Kirmani is married to Pakistani theatre actor and writer Khalid Ahmed, with whom she has long been associated in Pakistan’s theatre and cultural circles.Why was Sheema Kirmani detained?As per reports, Aurat March activists had assembled outside the Karachi Press Club to demand permission for their annual march when police detained several participants before later releasing them following intervention by the Sindh home minister.The videos of Sheema Kirmani being taken away by policewomen drew sharp reactions online due to her stature as a respected artist and activist. Supporters described the detention as symbolic of the challenges faced by women activists and cultural voices in Pakistan.Famous Pakistani classical dancer Sheema Kirmani (75) detained by Sindh Police outside Karachi Press Club.The veteran artist and activist — known for pioneering Bharatanatyam and Odissi in Pakistan — was stopped while seeking a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for the upcoming… pic.twitter.com/g4ABjEKyLD— Dr RK Singh (@DrRupak) May 9, 2026