Anti-CAA protests: Anurag Kashyap, Taapsee Pannu, Vikrant Massey condemns police action
Prominent names from the film fraternity, including director Anurag Kashyap, Taapsee Pannu, Konkona Sensharma, Vikrant Massey, Sudhir Mishra, Rajkummar Rao, among others on Monday condemned the police crackdown on students of Jamia Milia while accusing the government of trying to stifle the voices of dissent against Citizenship Amendment Act.
Thousands of students across India took to the streets demanding a probe into the use of teargas inside the Jamia library as well as police entering the campus without permission from university authorities on Sunday.
On Sunday, Jamia Milia turned into a battlefield when police entered the campus and used force, following student protest against the Act.
Many of the social media noted the usual silence of top stars, directors and producers in Bollywood but there were many who voiced their support for student protests.
Director Anurag Kashyap took to his Twitter handle to voice his anger over the way student protests were handled.
"This has gone too far... (I) can't stay silent any longer. This government is clearly fascist... and it makes me angry to see voices that can actually make a difference stay quiet.." he tweeted.
This has gone too far.. can’t stay silent any longer . This government is clearly fascist .. and it makes me angry to see voices that can actually make a difference stay quiet ..
— Anurag Kashyap (@anuragkashyap72) December 16, 2019
Actor Taapsee Pannu wrote, "Wonder if this is a start or the end. Whatever it is, this is surely writing new rules of the land and those who don't fit in can very well see the consequences. This video breaks heart and hopes altogether. Irreversible damage and I'm not talking about just life and property."
Wonder if this is a start or the end. Whatever it is, this is surely writing new rules of the land and those who don’t fit in can very well see the consequences.
— taapsee pannu (@taapsee) December 16, 2019
This video breaks heart n hopes all together. Irreversible damage,and I’m not talking about just the life n property https://t.co/QGaZYpDCR6
Chhappak actor Vikrant Massey tweeted, "This is a picture of students from #JamiaMilia holding photos of #Ambedkar & #Gandhi opposing the #CAA2019. We haven’t forgotten our roots. And we will fight to regain the lost sanity of this proud country 🇮🇳"
This is a picture of students from #JamiaMilia holding photos of #Ambedkar & #Gandhi opposing the #CAA2019
— Vikrant Massey (@masseysahib) December 15, 2019
We haven’t forgotten our roots.
And we will fight to regain the lost sanity of this proud country 🇮🇳 #StandWithJamia #Delhiviolence pic.twitter.com/gOCh0B7Cnw
"We are with the students! Shame on you @DelhiPolice," said actor-filmmaker Konkona Sensharma.
Director Sudhir Mishra tweeted, "The police enter the campus and brutally beat up the students. Nothing has changed. Terrible that now we know where the flowers (have) gone. Crushed!"
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In 1987 I made a film called Yeh Woh Manzil Toh Nahin on the background of student politics . Towards the climax the police enter the campus and brutally beat up the students . Nothing has changed . Terrible that now we know where the flowers gone . Crushed !
— Sudhir Mishra (@IAmSudhirMishra) December 16, 2019
Even Hollywood star John Cusack who took note of the videos from inside the campus, which have gone viral on social media couldn't control his fingers and tweeted, "Reports from Delhi are - it was a war zone last night - Fascism is not a joke - we use the word with the understanding, it's deadly."
Fascists in India trying to set students against each other -
— John Cusack (@johncusack) December 16, 2019
To cover for the economic collapse of demonetization
but they are standing together in solidarity with their Muslim brothers & sisters -
This is fascism everywhere- them or us
Arundhati Roy pic.twitter.com/rTgF5CWF2G”
Rajkummar Rao too condemned the police action against the students while appealing for peaceful protests.
I strongly condemn the violence that the police have shown in dealing with the students. In a democracy the citizens have the right to peacefully protest.I also condemn any kind of act of destruction of the public properties. Violence is not the solution for anything!
— Rajkummar Rao (@RajkummarRao) December 16, 2019
Criticising the police action in Jamia, actor Swara Bhasker wrote, "Shocking messages of violence, tear gas from #Jamia in #Delhi! Why are students being treated like criminals? Why are hostels being tear-gassed.. ??? What is going on #DelhiPolice ???? Shocking and shameful!"
Meanwhile, superstar Akshay Kumar found himself in a row after he "accidentally" liked a tweet making fun of protesting students of Jamia. He took to his twitter handle to clear the air and wrote, "Regarding the ‘like’ on the tweet of Jamia Milia students, it was by mistake. I was scrolling and accidentally it must have been pressed and when I realised I immediately unliked it as In no way do I support such acts."
Regarding the ‘like’ on the tweet of Jamia Milia students, it was by mistake. I was scrolling and accidentally it must have been pressed and when I realised I immediately unliked it as In no way do I support such acts.
— Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar) December 16, 2019
The CAA grant Indian citizenship to refugees from Hindu, Sikh, Christian, Parsi and Buddhist communities coming from neighbouring countries like Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan.
--PTI Inputs--
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First published: 16 December 2019, 20:28 IST