Mumbai/New Delhi: Angry, ashamed and heartbroken is how the Indian film industry personalities described their feelings over the Unnao and Kathua rapes and demanded swift action against the perpetrators.
Celebrities such as Javed Akhtar, Abhishek Bachchan, Swara Bhasker and Hansal Mehta took to social media to condemn the two brutal incidents that have shocked the nation.
In Unnao, a teen rape survivor claimed BJP MP Kuldeep Singh Sengar had raped her in 2017. Ever since, she says, she has approached the authorities for justice to no avail. Her father was killed allegedly by the kin and henchmen of the accused MLA while the man was in judicial custody. The Yogi Adityanath-led Uttar Pradesh government has filed a first information report against Sengar and arrested his brother.
In Kathua, an eight-year-old girl was allegedly gang-raped by six men who had held her in captivity in a small temple village for a week in January. She was drugged so that she could be sexually assaulted again before being bludgeoned to death.
Noted screenwriter Javed Akhtar said it was high time that people came forward in support of women rights.
All those who wish justice for women should stand up and raise their voices against the rapists and their protectors in Unnao and Kathua .
— Javed Akhtar (@Javedakhtarjadu) April 11, 2018
In Unnao the brother of the alleged rapist is arrested for beating the father of the rape victim which caused his death . So far police has not taken any action in the rape case .The MLA is walking free and has the audacity to call the victim n her Family ” lowly people “ .
— Javed Akhtar (@Javedakhtarjadu) April 11, 2018
Abhishek Bachchan shared the victim’s picture and hashtagged her name.
#Asifa pic.twitter.com/CpsaqMWKYe
— Abhishek Bachchan (@juniorbachchan) April 12, 2018
Director Hansal Mehta retweeted The New York Times piece which detailed how the victim’s rape and murder led to protests by Hindu nationalists who defended the accused in the case.
Is this nationalism? https://t.co/vg5BQlpmN6
— Hansal Mehta (@mehtahansal) April 12, 2018
Sonam Kapoor also shared the same article and called out fake nationals and fake Hindus in her tweet.
Ashamed appalled and disgusted by fake nationals and fake Hindus. I cannot believe this is happening in my country. https://t.co/V8tKoo6viX
— Sonam K Ahuja (@sonamakapoor) April 12, 2018
Actor-filmmaker Farhan Akhtar pleaded the case of an eight-year-old who was subjected to unspeakable brutalities.
Imagine what goes through the mind of an 8 yr old as she is drugged, held captive, gang raped over days and then murdered.
If you don’t feel her terror, you are not human.
If you don’t demand Asifa get justice, you belong to nothing.— Farhan Akhtar (@FarOutAkhtar) April 12, 2018
Bhasker wrote,
IN A TEMPLE! i Repeat… IN A TEMPLE!!!!!!!!! https://t.co/D4FJpNIn95
— Swara Bhasker (@ReallySwara) April 12, 2018
Actor-comic Vir Das asked the people to set aside political differences and unite to fight the perpetrators of the crime.
I can't breathe after reading this. I need to share it. And so do you. Please do. #JusticeforAsifa https://t.co/tPKXuDcRX6
— Vir Das (@thevirdas) April 12, 2018
Riteish Deshmukh wrote,
A 8 year old is drugged, raped & murdered and another one is fighting for justice for herself and the death of her father in custody.
We have a choice either raise your voice or be a silent spectator.
‘Stand up for what is right even if you are standing alone.’#Kathua #Unnao— Riteish Deshmukh (@Riteishd) April 12, 2018
Filmmaker Shirish Kunder shared a news article and wrote,
Please read this. If your blood boils, please share it. Because at a time when there's a section of people supporting these monsters, it'll mean some humanity is still alive.https://t.co/6RDgC16Y2U
— Shirish Kunder (@ShirishKunder) April 11, 2018
Tisca Chopra tweeted, too:
So pained to read about #Unnao & #Kathua rapes.. how strongly the government responds will be its true test @PMOIndia .. at least I won’t vote for them coming elections if they don’t take action this time..
— Tisca Chopra (@tiscatime) April 12, 2018
Actor Rahul Bose called the incidents gut-wrenching.
Gut wrenching. Unimaginable depravity that is disturbing on so many levels. Our response will decide what we have become as a society. The Indian Express https://t.co/Ku278wM7Oc
— Rahul Bose (@RahulBose1) April 12, 2018
Actors Ranvir Shorey attacked the people who defended the accused in the name of religion while Richa Chadha assumed the defenders of the alleged rapists were devout, practising, ritualistic Hindus.
These are slogans to be used when the people who have committed these crimes are hanged!
— रanviर_ डhoरeय_ (Ranvir Shorey) (@RanvirShorey) April 12, 2018
These men fast on navratras and pray to Devi Ma-yet they defend a man who plotted the rape,torture and murder of a child inside a temple.LOOK at them,SHAME them. If a stray news report can make credible ppl #HinduHaters why r these #FakeHindus not unemployed?RT A MILLION TIMES https://t.co/KlToUDA4aV
— TheRichaChadha (@RichaChadha) April 12, 2018
