How are Bollywood celebrities using their platform to address the issue of violence against women and support the cause of the protesting doctors?
Bollywood celebrities including Hrithik Roshan, Alia Bhatt, Kareena Kapoor Khan, and Kriti Sanon have called for justice following the rape and murder of a postgraduate medical student in Kolkata, and have shown support for the doctors who are protesting in response to the incident.
The body of the young doctor was discovered at RG Kar Medical College on August 9, with reports indicating that she was raped and murdered while on duty. This has led to widespread protests among doctors and medical students across India.
Hrithik Roshan, in a post on social media platform X, emphasized the need for a society where all citizens feel equally safe, and called for severe legal consequences to deter such crimes. He also condemned the violence against protesting doctors at the Kolkata hospital.
Alia Bhatt expressed her dismay on Instagram, noting that little has changed since the 2012 Delhi gangrape case, and that women still do not feel safe.
Kareena Kapoor Khan also took to Instagram to highlight the lack of progress since the Nirbhaya case, stating that the same issues persist despite years of protests.
Filmmaker Zoya Akhtar shared her thoughts on Instagram Stories, expressing her desire for a day when all women can be independent and safe. Her brother, Farhan Akhtar, posted a poem on Instagram as a tribute to the victim.
Sara Ali Khan used her Instagram story to demand justice for women, while Priyanka Chopra Jonas reposted a photo from a protest site, highlighting the need for voices to speak up for the victim.
Vijay Varma emphasized the importance of protecting those who protect us, referring to the doctors who are on the frontlines. Twinkle Khanna shared a poignant message on Instagram, reflecting on the ongoing need to teach daughters the same safety precautions she was taught as a child.
Kriti Sanon expressed her heartbreak over the continued lack of safety for women in India, questioning whether the country can truly be considered free when basic safety is still a concern.
Dia Mirza Pednekar, in her Independence Day message on Instagram, called for freedom from violence against women, discrimination, and toxic masculinity. She advocated for stricter laws and exemplary punishment for perpetrators.
Indo-Canadian singer AP Dhillon expressed his anger through a Punjabi song dedicated to the victim, questioning the safety of women in society.
The investigation into the doctor’s death has been handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) by order of the Calcutta High Court, and a civic volunteer has been arrested in connection with the crime.
