Hijab-clad women dance to movie song in Kerala, start heated debate on Twitter

The three women were dancing during AIDS Day celebrations to raise awareness about the life-threatening disease.

Photo grab from video posted by ANI on Twitter

Twitter went abuzz on Monday when a video of three hijab-clad women in Kerala dancing to popular number 'Jimikki Kammal' went viral. While some said the women had dis-respected Islam, many others countered saying it was for a noble cause.

The women seen dancing in the video were reportedly trying to spread AIDS-related awareness as part of AIDS Day celebrations in Malappuram.

#WATCH: Three girls dance in a flash mob in Kerala's Malappuram (4.12.17) pic.twitter.com/niyNtIGXn5 — ANI (@ANI) December 4, 2017

That they were wearing hijab and dancing in public infuriated many.

There's no disgrace in dancing, but when an act is done for cheap popularity, there will be some people opposing it too.
Criticism is integrated in showbiz — Shameela (@shaikhshameela) December 4, 2017

Support for the women, however, was aplenty as well. They largely agreed that there is no harm in dancing for a noble cause and for the betterment of human lives.

People should become religious when it comes to girls. Religion is same for all.
One should do some introspection before abusing these girls. — Shakeel_Hamid (@ShakeelSpeaks) December 4, 2017

They can dance...its their life....they can do whatever they want to do....live and let live...life is too short for all these

— Atif (@Atifvns) December 4, 2017

More and more girls should come forward and celebrate the openness which India as a country bestows as a right to its citizens. India.Kerala should become the best example for liberated, yet decent women working for the best interests of the society promoting openness. — Renju (@renjusd) December 4, 2017

The video itself has gone viral with hundreds of shares and a large number of reactions - in support or otherwise - on social media.

Earlier this year, it was reported that AIDS-related deaths in the country fell 58 per cent between 2005 and 2016. However, the country still is third in list of nations with number of HIV patients - after South Africa and Nigeria. Health experts and social activists have repeatedly advocated that awareness can go a long way in further reducing HIV incidents.