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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AAP alleges 'deep-rooted' conspiracy to kill Kejriwal, BJP terms it 'drama'
New Delhi, Oct 26: The AAP on Saturday alleged the BJP was conspiring to "kill" its convener Arvind Kejriwal and had become "an enemy of his life". The ruling party warned that the BJP would be responsible if anything happened to the former chief minister.
Leader of Opposition in the Delhi Assembly Vijender Gupta dismissed the AAP's allegations, saying it was yet another "drama" by the AAP to defame the BJP ahead of the assembly polls.
The AAP had on Friday claimed that Kejriwal, a Z-plus protectee, was attacked by "BJP goons" during his 'padyatra' (foot march) in west Delhi's Vikaspuri, a charge trashed by the saffron party.
However, no video of the alleged attack was made available by the party. Police said they had not received any official complaint from the AAP.
Addressing a press conference on Saturday, AAP MP Sanjay Singh alleged police were complicit in the incident.
"Police complicity in the incident clearly shows a deep-rooted conspiracy to kill Kejriwal. The BJP has become an enemy of his life," he said.
There was no immediate response from police to the Rajya Sabha MP's claim.
Singh said that despite Friday's incident, Kejriwal would carry on with the 'padyatra' as scheduled.
AAP leaders including Kejriwal are undertaking 'padyatras' in different assembly segments of the city in the run-up to the Delhi Assembly polls, likely to be held in February 2025.
Asked why the AAP had not filed a complaint regarding the alleged attack on Kejriwal, Singh said police could take cognisance of the incident and launch a probe.
It would not have happened if police were impartial. Police officers did not do anything to stop the "attackers" who belonged to the BJP's youth wing, he claimed, adding the AAP was seeking legal opinion on the matter.
He also accused BJP leaders of supporting the "attackers".
Singh said Kejriwal would "neither stop nor bow down" and continue to fight for the people of Delhi.
If anything happens to Kejriwal, then the BJP would be responsible for it. Even if Kejriwal suffers a scratch, Delhi's people would take revenge on the BJP, he said.
At another press conference, Delhi cabinet minister Saurabh Bharadwaj claimed one of the attackers was the vice president of the BJP's Delhi Yuva Morcha.
"BJP Yuva Morcha functionaries attacked Kejriwal. One of the attackers is the vice president of BJP Yuva Morcha of Delhi and the second is the general secretary," he said.
The two BJP leaders, who were dancing after attacking Kejriwal, had lost the councillor elections, claimed Bharadwaj.
BJP leader Gupta rubbished the AAP's claims.
"Despite blaming the BJP, no complaint has been filed by the AAP over the alleged attack on Kejriwal, which shows that the party is trying to play the victim card and gain sympathy by trying to defame the BJP before the assembly polls," he said.
The BJP leader said the AAP is worried about the "waning public support" and is attempting to confuse people through such tactics.
The area where Kejriwal was allegedly attacked is not an AAP stronghold and hence, the party "concocted" the story to gain sympathy, Gupta alleged.
