Are you also the one who at some point of time observed that Bollywood stars do speak up against society evils and only rejoice in a goody’s image all through their life. Well, I am one of those who bashed celebrities when something untoward happened in this country and they didn’t care enough to react. Well, now having spent some time close to film stars and influential personalities, I have seen how careful they get to sound politically correct. They would either simply request you to not touch controversial topics or simply dodge the question, saying ‘I have nothing to say on this matter.’ Or just may comment something ‘off the record.’ But whenever they try to break their own norm and show some courage, I wonder why they are preyed by political class or scrutinised so mercilessly on social media.
What Neha Dhupia has said about Mumbai and bad governance is news to you? Almost every day, you and I crib about pathetic infrastructure in our cities that has the potential to paralyse even with a strong blow of wind. So what’s the big deal when she took to Twitter to scold an elected government? Isn’t she a part of this country? Doesn’t she have constitutional rights like you to react to how her government functions or not function at all? If you read her tweet, Dhupia has not invented any political theory against the prime minister or the ruling state government in Maharashtra. We, who have been born and brought up in metro cities, clearly understand ruthless political culture and why despite large allocations of money and other resources, things have always remained same on the ground. Then why this unnecessary storm?
Okay, Neha Dhupia is being targeted by the so-called bhakts or Internet trolls, if not all. That’s expected! But why are we doing this stupid glorification of each and every nasty or sexist remark against her? Earlier, it was Shruti Seth who sparked inferno by criticising Narendra Modi’s Beti Bachao campaign. She herself became the centre of discussion and the point that she had put across was lost somewhere on Twitter.
Social media websites are cashing in on the moment and callously posting remarks that need filter and editorial judgements before they are put online. Your careless handling of an important and sensitive issue will only demotivate other known voices to keep mum even when their reactions are needed. Would you believe The Times of India’s website has run a story on actors mired in controversies and named Neha Dhupia on top? Excuse me, when did citizens become controversial for criticising ‘bad governance’? Anyway, we would be wiser if we could actually focus on loopholes in the system rather than cornering celebrities.
