ByIANSlife Features

December 19, 2019 (IANSlife) Protests against the police brutality against students of two of India’s oldest Universities and against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 have gained momentum across the country. While people join hands to ensure their voice is heard, the silence across the entertainment and sporting industry rings loud.

But there are still a few who dared to speak up and show grit. Amongst the select handful is UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Priyanka Chopra, who has tweeted, "Education for every child is our dream. Education is what empowered them to think independently. We have raised them to have a voice. In a thriving democracy, to raise one's voice peacefully and be met with violence is wrong. Every voice counts. And each voice will work towards changing India. #HaveVoiceWillRaise #HaveVoiceMustRaise"

 

 

Anurag Kashyap was one of the first few to break the silence stating, "This has gone too far.. can't stay silent any longer. This government is clearly fascist .. and it makes me angry to see voices that can actually make a difference stay quiet".

Actor Manoj Bajpayee and Hrithik Roshan posted their support for the students of the nation. Bajpayee commented, "There may be times when we are powerless to prevent injustice, but there must never be a time when we fail to protest. With the students and their democratic rights to protest! I condemn violence against protesting students!!!!!" and Hrithik stated, “As a parent and a citizen of India, I am deeply saddened by the unrest across various educational institutions of our country. I hope and pray for peace to return as soon as possible. Great teachers learn from their students. I salute the worlds youngest democracy."

 

 

Priyanka Chopra is not alone as Parineeti Chopra, Dia Mirza, Siddharth Malhotra have also dared to speak out. Dia demonstrated solidarity with students stating, "I stand in solidarity with the students of India”, while Malhotra wrote, "My heart goes out to all the students back home in Delhi. In a democracy like ours, it's sad to see violence against citizens for voicing their opinion through peaceful protests. There should be no place for violence of any form & intent in our country. I strongly condemn this act".

 One of the strongest admonishments came from actress Huma Qureshi who wrote, "This government (Modi govt) has failed the people of this country. See what is happening on the streets. India is protesting...You cannot divide us," and adding, “This is unreal. We are a secular democracy. This violence that the police have shown in dealing with the students is terrible. Citizens have the right to peacefully protest. @narendramodi @AmitShah Or that is not an option anymore ??”

Parineeti Chopra said, "If this is what's gonna happen every time a citizen expresses their view, forget #CAB, we should pass a bill and not call our country a democracy anymore! Beating up innocent human beings for speaking their mind? BARBARIC.”

 

 

Rajkumar Rao posted, “I strongly condemn the violence that the police have shown in dealing with the students. In a democracy the citizens have the right to peacefully protest. I also condemn any kind of act of destruction of the public properties. Violence is not the solution…”  anything!" Rao said and Bala actor Ayushmann Khurrana reiterated that this is a time for ahimsa stating, "Dear countrymen, this is the land of Gandhi. Ahimsa is and should be the tool to express. Have faith in democracy".

Hot favourite Vicky Kaushal commented, "What is happening is not okay. The way it's happening is not okay. People have every right to peacefully voice their opinion. This violence and disruption is both saddening and concerning as a fellow citizen. In no circumstance, must our faith in democracy be shaken." Actor – Producer Farhan Akhtar posted, "Here's what you need to know about why these protests are important. See you on the 19th at August Kranti Maidan, Mumbai. The time to protest on social media alone is over."

 

 

Having said this many a veteran and influential actors have chosen to remain tight lipped.

Amidst these Akshay Kumar seems to have tried to play both sides and failed. After liking and unliking a post followed by a retraction stating, “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.”

It was left to an international actor to carry their burden as Hollywood star John Cusack boldly said that “"I Stand with our Muslim brothers and sisters and students in solidarity being brutalized by Modi".”