New Delhi: Twitterati cannot seem to get enough of ‘Bloody Sunday’ at JNU and its aftermath, especially after actor Deepika Padukone made a ‘surprise’ appearance at a rally inside the campus Tuesday.
Former JNUSU president and CPI leader Kanhaiya Kumar was quick to thank her for standing next to him and by JNU.
More power to you @deepikapadukone and thank you for your solidarity and support. You might be abused or trolled today, but history will remember you for your courage and standing by the idea of India. pic.twitter.com/q9WkXODchL
— Kanhaiya Kumar (@kanhaiyakumar) January 7, 2020
Many Bollywood personalities, too, come out in support of Padukone’s gesture. Here’s director Nikkhil Advani.
As producer today @deepikapadukone would’ve been standing in the preview theatres in Mumbai waiting to hear praise being showered on her maiden production. She instead chose to stand in solidarity with #JNUstudents knowing fully well the ramifications of her actions. #RESPECT
— Nikkhil Advani (@nikkhiladvani) January 7, 2020
Amazingly, even the magazine Filmfare applauds Padukone’s move.
This picture speaks a thousand words! #DeepikaPadukone at the JNU protests in Delhi. #JNUUnderAttack pic.twitter.com/VJFnnOLAd2
— Filmfare (@filmfare) January 7, 2020
Activist and former JNU student Umar Khalid wants the ‘King Khans’ of Bollywood to join the likes of Padukone in support of the university. However, he may not have endeared himself to them by calling them ‘uncles’…
Thank you @deepikapadukone for standing up for students and youth against fascist bullies.
The times they are a changing!
Khan uncles, agar zameer zinda hai, to ab to kuch boldo @iamsrk, @aamir_khan, @BeingSalmanKhan https://t.co/E1nIdxLg1W
— Umar Khalid (@UmarKhalidJNU) January 7, 2020
Many called for a boycott of Padukone’s forthcoming film Chhapaak. BJP’s Tajinder Pal Singh Bagga, for one, will not watch it.
RT if you will Boycott Movies of @deepikapadukone for her Support to #TukdeTukdeGang and Afzal Gang pic.twitter.com/LN5rpwjDmT
— Tajinder Pal Singh Bagga (@TajinderBagga) January 7, 2020
Right wing activist Rahul Easwar takes a more balanced view.
Pls respect @akshaykumar ji's freedom to support Patriotic Spectrum &
Pls respect @deepikapadukone ji's freedom to support Liberal SpectrumPls stop demeaning & defaming our Artists, Celebrities. They also have Right like us to take positions#isupportakshay #ISupportDeepika pic.twitter.com/gssHBTQ0Hx
— Rahul Easwar (@RahulEaswar) January 7, 2020
Writer Aatish Taseer, denied an OIC status by the government, asks an interesting question about BJP and JNU.
Wait, I don’t understand: if @BJP4India and it’s proxies had nothing to do with the attack on JNU, then why boycott @deepikapadukone for commiserating with the the victims of that attack? https://t.co/pREXxgI778
— Aatish Taseer (@AatishTaseer) January 8, 2020
BJP’s Shaina NC has some strong sarcasm for filmmaker Anurag Kashyap who has come out strongly against the BJP government.
To Anurag Kashyap I ask ??@anuragkashyap72
We must be the only country where you can criticise @narendramodi the PM of the country without any compunction. Enjoy this freedom, but your insidious activities may end up killing the golden goose. Think…or maybe that's beyond you.
— Shaina NC (@ShainaNC) January 7, 2020
In other news, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is thirsting for revenge — he wants rape case convicts executed within six months…
निर्भया रेप के दोषियों के खिलाफ डेथ वारंट जारी होने पर लोगों को कुछ संतोष हुआ। 7 साल लग गए। इस व्यवस्था को बदलना होगा। ऐसी व्यवस्था लागू करनी होगी कि बलात्कारियों को 6 महीनों में फाँसी होनी चाहिए।
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) January 7, 2020
The author of the book Why I am a Hindu, Congress’ Shashi Tharoor shares an interesting comparative table of Hinduism and Hindutva.
An interesting, though incomplete, comparative table doing the rounds. #HinduismVsHindutva pic.twitter.com/WiDxKx0JZU
— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) January 8, 2020
Harsha Bhogle, cricket commentator and writer, has a suggestion on how to better integrate Jammu & Kashmir and the northeast. And it’s not abrogating anything…
I am convinced, even if through an inexperienced eye, that sport can be a nice way of integrating communities and building pride. We must invest more in football in the north-east and in football and cricket in Jammu and Kashmir.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) January 7, 2020
BJP Karnataka should take over BJP Delhi’s Twitter handle — it’s doing a far superior job selling the party line.
For too long, Leftists have been treated with kid gloves. No wonder this "good for nothing breed" has grown like a Weed.
It is time #JNU Tukde Tukde Gang is identified & punished for its acts of violence.
Future of India can't be at the mercy of Leftist Goons.#LeftAttacksJNU
— BJP Karnataka (@BJP4Karnataka) January 6, 2020
Meanwhile historian Ramachandra Guha has a provocative new name for ANI.
In the 1970s, AIR stood for All Indira Radio.
ANI stands today for Always in Narendra’s Interest.— Ramachandra Guha (@Ram_Guha) January 8, 2020
And as the Middle East comes to a boil following Iran’s missile strike on military bases hosting US troops in Iraq, President Donald Trump is, well, Trump.
All is well! Missiles launched from Iran at two military bases located in Iraq. Assessment of casualties & damages taking place now. So far, so good! We have the most powerful and well equipped military anywhere in the world, by far! I will be making a statement tomorrow morning.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 8, 2020
Meanwhile, Iran’s telecom minister Azari Jahromi tells him in no uncertain terms, where he can go from here…
Get the hell out of our region!#HardRevenge🇮🇷🇮🇶
— MJ Azari Jahromi (@azarijahromi) January 8, 2020