TNN
In
the last couple of weeks, multiple artistes’ bodies – filmmakers,
actors, writers – have asked people to ‘vote hatred out of power’. In a
series of joint statements, numerous intellectuals and artistes have
stepped away from political neutrality and stuck their neck out to take a
position.
MARCH 29: Keep this harmful regime from coming back to power: Filmmakers
Over a hundred filmmakers from across India issued a joint statement
urging voters to “do everything in their capacity to keep this harmful
regime from coming back to power” and asked them to instead choose “a
government that respects the Constitution of India,
protects our freedom of speech and expression, and refrains from all
kinds of censorship”. The 103 signatories include Kaala and Kabali
director Pa. Ranjith, documentary filmmaker Anand Patwardhan, S Durga
director Sanal Kumar Sasidharan, editor Bina Paul, Malayalam director
Aashiq Abu, Tamil director Vetri Maaran, Punjabi filmmaker Gurvinder
Singh, art director Kabir Singh Chowdhry, and independent filmmakers
Praveen Morchhale and Deepa Dhanraj, among others.
APRIL 1: Vote out the division of our people: Writers
Over 200 writers appealed to voters to reject “hate politics” in a joint statement. “Vote out the division of our people; vote out inequality; vote against violence, intimidation and censorship. This is the only way we can vote for an India that renews the promises made by our Constitution. This is why we appeal to all citizens to vote for a diverse and equal India,” the statement, carried by the Indian Cultural Forum, read. The signatories include Amitav Ghosh, Romila Thapar, Arundhati Roy, Jerry Pinto, Keki Daruwalla, Harsh Mander, Ranjit Hoskote, R Unni, Anand Teltumbde, Zoya Hasan and Girish Karnad.
APRIL 5: Defeat forces of barbarism: Theatre artistes
The latest to join the chorus of asking the voters to reject “hate politics” are 600 theatre artistes, including names like Naseeruddin Shah, Amol Palekar, Anurag Kashyap, Konkona Sen Sharma, Ratna Pathak Shah and Anamika Haksar. In a joint statement, the artistes stated that “the seeds of hatred have entered our food, prayers, and festivals,” emphasizing that the upcoming elections are “the most critical in the history of independent India”.
The statement read: “We, theatre practitioners of India, appeal to the people of India to help safeguard the Constitution and our syncretic, secular ethos. We appeal to our fellow citizens to vote for love and compassion, for equality and social justice, and to defeat the forces of darkness and barbarism… Our appeal – vote bigotry, hatred, and apathy out of power. Vote against the BJP and its allies. Vote to empower the weakest, protect liberty, protect the environment, and foster scientific thinking. Vote for secular democratic, inclusive India. Vote for the freedom to dream. Vote wisely.”
Read Also:Over 900 artistes urge people to vote for BJP
COUNTERPOINT: ‘SO YOU’RE OPENLY CAMPAIGNING FOR THE OPPOSITION?’
Anupam Kher: So some people from my fraternity have issued a
letter for public to vote out the present constitutionally-elected
government in the coming elections. In other words they are officially
campaigning for opposition parties. Good!! At least there are no
pretensions here. Great
‘Might think of contesting from Vadodara if I join politics’
Vivek Oberoi: If I join politics, I
might think of contesting from Vadodara in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections,
just because of the love and affection people gave PM Narendra Modi
when he contested from here I am of course a Modi fan, but I may not be a
bhakt
Vivek Agnihotri: 600 theatre artists are unhappy. Pl
read their letter in the attached blog and tell me what’s wrong with
their statement? Can you?
‘PLEASE GO OUT & VOTE, SAVE DEMOCRACY’ #BOLLYWOODBOLEVOTESAMBHALKE:
Names like Kalki Koechlin, Zeeshan Ayub, Renuka Shahane, Amol Gupte, Anupama Chopra, Vishal Dadlani,
Sayani Gupta, Swara Bhasker, Tigmanshu Dhulia, Nandita Das and
Vikramaditya Motwane participate in a video urging people to vote and
use their vote wisely.
Vishal Dadlani: (quoting Rahat Indori) Sarhadon par bahut tanaav hai kya, kuch pata toh karo chunaav hai kya… Don’t be misled, focus on the issues that are important for the future of India. Don’t let them tell you it’s about blowing up some satellite, don’t let them tell you it’s about a war-like situation… What is important is education, healthcare, welfare, farmers
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