Bollywood celebrities are showing their lack of spine
Recently, the Indian government introduced a Citizenship Amendment Bill that would allow non-Muslim illegal immigrants from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan to get Indian citizenship. After this, numerous protests broke out in the country as the bill was seen as discriminatory against Muslims.
Students from many Indian universities protested against the Citizenship Amendment Bill, with those protests even turning violent
Students across several universities in India are protesting against the Bill. However, the protest in Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi turned violent. Videos of students being assaulted by the Delhi Police made it to the internet, property was destroyed and unrest spread through social media.
Vandalism by Delhi police inside the mosque on Jamia Millia Islamia campus. Police terror showered on PPL offering Maghrib Namaz #JamiaProtest pic.twitter.com/sXALgqXBb3
— GULREZ KHAN (@GULREZK72597683) December 15, 2019
The brutality of Delhi Police on students inside the campus of Jamia Millia Islamia#CAB pic.twitter.com/ECZizvfzGx
— Eastern Parrot (@EasternParrot) December 15, 2019
Since Bollywood celebrities hold such importance within Indian society, many people expected them to raise their voice against the brutality
But instead there was silence. Even more infuriating was that Akshay Kumar liked a tweet of a video of police brutality against the students.
Here is the Tweet which was liked by Akshay Kumar, the tweet was cheering Police beating up Jamia Students.#BoycottCanadianKumar pic.twitter.com/mutyungBxJ
— Ajmal Mansoori ازمل (@Ajmalmansoori79) December 16, 2019
Boycott hate monger @akshaykumar for endorsing brutality and violence against the students. #BoycottCanadianKumar pic.twitter.com/Px8UuL8PCu
— St. Sinner (@retheeshraj10) December 16, 2019
Akshay Kumar Liked a tweet which was cheering brutality on Jamia Students and the caption was
"Jamia ko Mil rahi hai azadi"
The bigotry and Evilness of Canadian Kumar is out in Open.
Lets pledge to boycott his movie from now onwards. #BoycottCanadianKumar
— Nенr_wно™ (@Nehr_who) December 16, 2019
Akshay then released a statement saying his like was a “mistake”
This led to the hashtag #BoycottCanadianKumar to trend and people wondered if he showed support for the bill because he himself will get the citizenship. As currently Akshay holds Canadian citizenship only consequently, people dragged him left and right.
Regarding the ‘like’ on the tweet of Jamia Milia students, it was by mistake. I was scrolling and accidentally it must have been pressed and when I realised I immediately unliked it as In no way do I support such acts.
— Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar) December 16, 2019
People weren’t having it and Akshay, along with other Bollywood celebrities, even got bashed by fellow Bollywood members who did speak up for the students
Anurag Kashyap, a successful director and producer, ended Akshay’s entire existence with a classy tweet bluntly calling out his cowardly behavior.
Absolutely https://t.co/cHArbBPV2M
— Anurag Kashyap (@anuragkashyap72) December 16, 2019
After being shamed, some of the Bollywood celebrities did try to issue “neutral” statements, like Ayushman Khurana
Ayushman tweeted that while assault on students is disturbing, violent protest is not the answer and everybody should have trust in democracy. Sounds simple, right? Except, is it really? People thought it was rich of him to ask people to trust in democracy from his position of privilege in Indian society. People also thought it was funny to call India democratic when so many instances suggested otherwise.
People also pointed out that it was also a bit hypocritical of Ayushman, considering his recent movie, Article 15 centered on eradicating discrimination against race, cast and religion.
Hi Ayushman! I love your films and have often showered praises on your wonderful performances.
Which reminds me of this – okay? pic.twitter.com/YNge5DEAX1
— Akil Bakhshi (@akil_bakhshi) December 16, 2019
Dear Ayushman,
If you didn't want to tweet this, it's ok. But why a balancing piece like a scared boy? Students did nothing wrong. You can realise that.
— भारतीय (@imaaansari) December 16, 2019
Hi Ayushman. Not going to pay to watch your movie anymore.
Thanks for showing you are spineless
— Gumnaam (@moon_djinn) December 16, 2019
Hey Ayushmann congress govt of Rajasthan has arrested @Payal_Rohatgi for criticising nehru family n she is frm your Industry … vaha democracy thik hai na ? pic.twitter.com/F2lNoZbxWT
— जय श्री राम 🙏 (@localvirar) December 16, 2019
Ayushmann this is NOT it!! Please can these actors for once speak something that makes sense when they are taking their take for the mfing first time?? STAY OUT OF IT? https://t.co/l05pkFxosU
— Ritu (@monophile) December 16, 2019
Everyone’s not-so-favorite world famous Indian celebrity Priyanka Chopra was also dragged for her not saying anything despite being an UNICEF Ambassador
Remember when she tried to gaslight a Pakistani girl for asking her a question about supporting Modi’s war mongering despite being an Ambassador for UNICEF?
@priyankachopra where are you now. Being the brand ambassador of Assam, was your contract was up till money?
You were my inspiration but your silence even after seeing the condition of Assam and the people who were been brutally killed has spoken so loud that I don't wanna be u— shreya gogoidas (@bommd70) December 15, 2019
Waiting for UNICEF ambassador and Assam brand ambassador, Priyanka Chopra, to condemn CAA and police violence against students of Jamia and AMU, at least in her personal capacity. If cheering for army can be done on Twitter, so can condemnation of human rights violation.
— Priyanka Sharma (@iPriyanka_S) December 17, 2019
The silence really is deafening at this time, Bollywood.
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Cover Image Via: dailypioneer.com / hindustantimes.com