In an extraordinary show of solidarity, Bollywood celebrities Alia Bhatt and Hrithik Roshan have voiced their support for Kangana Ranaut following a controversial incident at Chandigarh airport. The episode, which saw a lady CISF constable slap the newly elected BJP MP just two days after her Lok Sabha win, has prompted a wave of reactions from the film fraternity and beyond.
The incident occurred at Chandigarh airport, drawing immediate outrage and condemnation from several notable personalities. Alia Bhatt and Hrithik Roshan, who is alleged to have had a past relationship with Ranaut, joined the chorus of support, emphasizing the importance of non-violence in public discourse.
Journalist Faye D’Souza took to Instagram to decry the slap incident, underscoring the core values of non-violence that underpin Indian society. Her post stated, “With reference to the incident of MP Kangana Ranaut being slapped at an airport, violence can never be the answer. Especially not in our country that was born out of Gandhi’s ideals of non-violence. It doesn’t matter how much we disagree with views and statements made by someone, we cannot react with violence and we should not condone it. It is particularly dangerous when security personnel react violently while in uniform. Imagine, over the last ten years, if those of us who questioned power were assaulted at airports by constables who were in agreement with that power.”
D’Souza’s powerful message resonated deeply with the public and quickly garnered support from numerous celebrities. The post attracted likes and endorsements from Alia Bhatt and Hrithik Roshan, in addition to other prominent figures such as Soni Razdan, Zoya Akhtar, Sonakshi Sinha, and Arjun Kapoor.
In her own statement, veteran actor Shabana Azmi expressed her vehement disapproval of the slap, despite having disagreements with Ranaut in the past. Azmi tweeted, “I have no love lost for #KanganaRanaut. But I can’t find myself joining this chorus of celebrating ‘the slap.’ If security personnel start taking the law into their own hands, none of us can be safe.”
The debate on the incident has also reverberated through media channels, with many debating the implications of such an act by a security official. Prominent actor Anupam Kher shared his views during an interaction with the paparazzi at a recent event.
. He stated, “Mujhe bara afsos hua. Ek mahila ke saath ek mahila ke dwara jo apne position ka fayeda uthakar is tarah ki harkat ki, bilkul ghalat hai. Iski kanooni karwaayi honi chahiye. Unka koi bhi rosh hai, main yeh nahi keh raha hoon ke inka rosh nahi ho sakta jisne aesa kiya, but yeh apne audhe ka ya position ka fayeda uthakar nahi karna chahiye (I deeply regret it. The way a woman slapped another woman by taking advantage of her position is absolutely wrong. This should be legally investigated. She can have grievances, but it shouldn’t be done by taking advantage of their power).”
Kher continued, “Bohut hi democratic ways hai (There are democratic ways) of saying that what you have said in the past has affected. But to do something like this is very sad and unfortunate. Not only because now Kangana is an MP or actress, but because Kangana is a woman. I think any kind of violence towards anybody, forget about women, isn’t right. Kal ko koi bhi kisi ko bhi kisi bhi baat pe is tarah ki harkat kar sakta hai aur bahana bana sakta hai. Ghalat baat hai (Tomorrow anyone can do this to anyone on any matter and later make excuses. This is wrong).”
The incident has thrown a spotlight on the role and conduct of security personnel in India, stirring a broader conversation about the boundaries of authority and the importance of upholding non-violent principles. It is a reminder that societal disagreements should be addressed through dialogue and legal avenues, rather than through physical confrontations.
As the nation awaits further developments, the collective outpouring of support from Bollywood underscores a significant moment of unity within the industry. Despite their often contentious relationships and public feuds, it appears that when it comes to matters of fundamental principles, such as non-violence and the rule of law, the entertainment community is willing to stand together in solidarity.
