Deepika Padukone on JNU attack: I faced it during Padmaavat. I hope this doesn’t become the new normal
eepika Padukone is among a few Bollywood celebrities who have come out in support of Jawaharlal Nehru University students who were attacked by masked goons Sunday night inside their own campus. On Tuesday, Deepika visited JNU to show her support to the students and met JNUSU president Aishe Ghosh who was seriously injured during the attack.
In an interview with AajTak, Deepika Padukone talked about the recent attacks on students in different universities and colleges in India. When asked about her reactions on the current situation, she said, “What I wanted to say I said it two years ago when Padmaavat was released. What I am seeing today, it pains me. I hope it doesn’t become the new normal. That anyone can say anything and they can get away with it. I fear and I’m sad. This is not the foundation of our country.”
On the JNU violence, Deepika said, “I am very angry at what is happening but it is worse that no action is being taken.”
Deepika Padukone was in Delhi to promote her upcoming film Chhapaak with her co-star Vikrant Massey. The film, which is directed by Meghna Gulzar, is based on the life of acid attack survivor Laxmi Agarwal.
After Deepika met the students of JNU and showed her solidarity with them, BJP’s Tajinder Pal Singh Bagga called for a boycott of her films. He took to Twitter and wrote, “RT if you will boycott movies of Deepika Padukone for her support to #TukdeTukdeGang and Afzal Gang.”
Earlier on Tuesday, Hindu Raksha Dal’s Pinky Chaudhary claimed the responsibility for the attack on the students and teachers of JNU on Sunday night.
Several Bollywood celebrities, including Anurag Kashyap, Taapsee Pannu, Vishal Bhardwaj, Ali Fazal, Richa Chadha and Zoya Akhtar, among others, participated in a protest held at the Gateway of India in Mumbai. The celebs sang songs and poems, and condemned the JNU attack.
