Bollywood finally shows spine: Actors, Directors slam Israel for Rafah bombing
Netizens slam Khans of Bollywood for silence over Israeli actions
Mumbai: Several prominent Indian celebrities have publicly condemned the recent Israeli bombardment in Gaza's far-southern Rafah region, which resulted in the deaths of 45 individuals, according to Palestinian officials. This attack, which Gaza medics report left hundreds of civilians with shrapnel and burn wounds, has drawn significant international criticism.
South Indian star Samantha expressed her outrage over Israel's attack on Rafah through a series of Instagram stories. Similarly, actor Swara Bhasker, known for her vocal support of Palestinian rights, shared multiple Instagram stories conveying her anger and frustration regarding the attack. “We live in a world that expects us to have a balanced response to babies being beheaded and burnt alive in tents! There are no words, only curses in my heart for those who did this, enabled this, abetted this, funded this, supported this, and made a narrative to normalize this,” she wrote.
Actress Fatima Sana Shaikh also took to Instagram to share her distress, posting, “Came across a really disturbing video of beheaded children in Rafah. One cannot just ignore this anymore. When will this end!” Meanwhile, Malaika Arora posted on her Instagram story, stating, “There is no such thing as killing children legally.”
Other Bollywood personalities, including director Atlee and actors Varun Dhawan, Virdas, Sonam Kapoor, Ileana D’Cruz, Anjum Khan, Rakul Preet Singh, Tripti Dimri, Konkona Sen Sharma, Hansika Motwani, Dia Mirza, and Nora Fatehi, also voiced their support for Gaza on social media. Singers Raftaar and Yoyo Honey Singh joined in, using their platforms to call attention to the crisis.
TV actor Aly Goni shared an "All eyes on Rafah" post on his Instagram Stories and highlighted reports of Israel bombing Rafah 60 times in 48 hours after an International Court of Justice order. Gauahar Khan posted about the attack, emphasizing the plight of mothers in Gaza, saying, “Tonight, mothers in Gaza will again hold their children and hope they sleep. And they, and we, will pray that they wake.”
Despite the wave of support from many in Bollywood, some netizens criticized prominent actors Shahrukh Khan, Salman Khan, and Aamir Khan for their silence on the issue.
In response to the international outcry, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu referred to the strike as a "tragic accident" but reaffirmed that he will continue the military campaign against Hamas, following the group's October 7 attack and the hostage crisis.
Thread of celebrities with a spine who dared to show solidarity for Rafah.
— Nehr_who? (@Nher_who) May 28, 2024
1. Swara Bhasker pic.twitter.com/vRAR70YMgn
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Niqab incident: Nitish Kumar perhaps revealing his true colours, says J-K CM
Srinagar (PTI): Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday criticised his Bihar counterpart over the niqab incident and said that Nitish Kumar might be slowly revealing his true nature.
"Nitish Kumar, who was once considered a secular leader, may be slowly showing his true colours," Abdullah told reporters here on the sidelines of a function.
Abdullah said Kumar removing the face veil of a Muslim woman doctor was wrong and cannot be justified by any means.
"We have seen this kind of incident here several years ago. Have you forgotten how Mehbooba Mufti removed the burqa of a legitimate voter inside a polling station? That act was wrong, and this act (of Kumar) is also wrong.
"If the (Bihar) chief minister did not want to hand over the order to her (Muslim woman), they could have kept her aside. However, to humiliate her like this is totally wrong," the Jammu and Kashmir chief minister said.
Kumar stirred a huge controversy after he removed the face veil of a Muslim woman at a function earlier this week.
