Bollywood celebrities like Alia Bhatt, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Ayushmann Khurrana, Hrithik Roshan and Kriti Sanon have joined the public outcry over the heinous rape and murder of a 31-year-old resident doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata, demanding justice for the victim.
Alia was one of the first Bollywood celebrities to voice her concerns on social media. “Another brutal rape. Another day of realisation that women are not safe, anywhere. Another horrific atrocity to remind us that it's been over a decade since the Nirbhaya tragedy, but still nothing much has changed,” read the Heart of Stone actress’ post on Instagram.
Raising concern over the safety of women healthcare professionals, Alia said, “In an environment of growing violence against medical personnel, it’s the women who are more vulnerable.” The actress further asked the authorities to focus on the safety of women and on creating safe spaces.
Kareena shared a post advocating for women’s safety, saying that nothing has changed since 2012’s Nirbhaya case in Delhi. “12 years later, the same story, the same protest. But we are still waiting for change,” the 43-year-old actress wrote.
Ayushmann, who was last seen in Dream Girl 2, recited a poignant poem written by him about the lack of safety for women in India. Titled Kaash Main Bhi Ladka Hoti (I wish I were a boy), the poem read, “Main bhi bina Kundi lagakar soti, Kaash main bhi ladka hoti, Jhalli banke daudti udti, Saari raat doston ke saath phirti, Kaash main bhi ladka hoti (I too would sleep without locking the door, I wish I were a boy, I’d run wild and carefree, Roam with friends all night, I wish I were a boy).”
Sharmajee Ki Beti director Tahira Kashyap, who is married to Ayushmann, also recited a poem about celebrating Independence Day only when a woman feels safe in India. “Secure our dignity with measures and laws, so that no one crosses the line and just a mere thought of committing such a sin like I have said before should send shivers down their already broken spine,” her lines read.
Preity Zinta voiced her opinions about the heartbreaking condition of women in India, saying that it’s time women should unite and stand together. “It's time WOMEN'S SAFETY is PRIORITIZED by the government. It's heartbreaking & disgusting to see a rapist's face hidden/covered when arrested, while victims of rape & violent sexual crime have their names and faces leaked in the media. Justice is never swift, punishment is never severe & people are never held accountable,” she wrote.
“As a woman, I want to say I'm sorry to Nirbhaya, to Moumita & to every girl that has been wronged. I'M SORRY I didn't fight hard enough for you in the past. BUT NOT ANYMORE! NONE OF US ARE SAFE UNTIL ALL OF US ARE SAFE,” Preity signed off, mentioning that women’s safety needs to become a “political issue”.
Hrithik Roshan said that we need to “evolve into a society” where everyone feels safe. “It’s going to hopefully happen with sensitising and empowering our sons and daughters. The next generations will be better. We will get there. Eventually. But what in the interim? Right now justice would be to put a hard stop to such atrocities. And the only way to do that is a punishment so harsh that it scares the living daylights out of such perpetrators,” the 50-year-old actor wrote.
“While we celebrate our 78th year of Independence and feel proud of how far we've come as a country globally.. It breaks my heart to see the terrifying reality that women are still not Safe in their own country. There is absolutely no fear in the people who commit these inhumane acts. And even today, it's the woman being blamed for being a victim,” wrote Kriti Sanon.
The Crew actress said that the safety of women will not be ensured unless there is “faster justice, severe punishments and more importantly better upbringing”. She signed off with a pertinent question: “Are we really FREE when our basic safety is in question?”
Three of Us actress Shefali Shah channelled her rage through her post, saying that women’s safety is getting worse by the day. “It’s getting worse day by day. and it doesn’t seem that there will be an end to this! neither govt seems to be bothered by this nor the authorities or police! MOB attack made it worse! AND THE WHOLE COUNTRY IS CELEBRATING INDEPENDENCE DAY ON WHAT BASIS?” she wrote.
Rashmika Mandanna shared a post on her Instagram story mentioning that safety is a “luxury” for women that is hard to earn in India. “How much to cover, how much to show, when to step out, when to rush inside our homes, how much we should laugh, how much anger we should show, where to pee, where to sleep,” reads the post.
Ananya Panday shared a series of posts about the issue on her Instagram stories. “Women shouldn't be told to be EXTRA careful and shouldn't be fully restricted from places. Governing bodies don't want to deal with the problems so instead of fixing processes, issuing stronger punishments, building larger securities, they choose to restrict women,” the post reads.
The post further said that the root of the problem lies in our society’s parenting methods. “The root of the problem isn't that women aren't careful, or restricted enough, it's that sons aren't raised right in India,” it mentions. “You can turn your head all you want, but it's the truth. I'd wager if men were more restricted, and told not to leave at night, and avoid poorly lit spaces, everyone would be a lot safer,” it further reads.
