Bollywood Stars Demand Justice for Doctor Nirbhaya & Women’s Safety

The nation is in shock and grief over the tragic incident of assault and brutal murder of a trainee doctor at the Medical College, Kolkata. In response to this terrible tragedy, Bollywood actors John Abraham, Priyanka Chopra, Hrithik Roshan, Kriti Sanon, Genelia D'Souza, Suhana Khan and many other stars expressed their grief, anger and concern through social media.

Bollywood Stars React to Tragedy: Grief and Concern Shared

These days, a bold statement of John Abraham is going viral his question, "Are women, children, and animals safe in India?" It is a question demanding an answer.

Actor John Abraham's recent comments have sparked a national discussion about women's safety and social responsibility in India. John's words resonate deeply in the wake of the gruesome rape and murder of a doctor in Kolkata which has raised questions about the security situation for the physically vulnerable sections of society such as women, children, and animals in the country.

John's message was clear and sharp. While expressing his anger over the Kolkata incident, he was seen challenging the notion that verbal patriotism alone solves all problems and argued that true love for the nation requires accepting and resolving its shortcomings. This is necessary. He says that true patriotism also includes taking a critical look at one's country and working to make it better. It is not enough to blindly proclaim national pride without addressing the underlying issues. John's main argument focused on the lack of protection for women, children, and animals in the country, with the aim of making India a better place for all its citizens. He stressed the need for Indian men to step up and become protectors of women and promote a culture of respect and safety in the society.

Considering John's public image today, this statement of his holds special significance. Known for his combative action hero roles, John has mostly played characters who have epitomized the spirit of strength and justice. His off-screen image is in line with his on-screen persona, who urges men to play a more active role in protecting the vulnerable sections.

John did not stop at just pointing fingers at this problem.  He also talked about solutions. Stating his goal of bringing positive change to his small world, he stressed the importance of individual action.  It highlights the idea that significant social change often starts with small, individual steps.  John seems to be advocating a collective effort, where everyone is asked to take responsibility for creating a safer and more just India.

Amid the national outrage over the Kolkata case, the timing of John's statement served as a powerful reminder of the ongoing struggle for women's safety.  John's views were joined by the voices of many big names from Bollywood, including Alia Bhatt, Parineeti Chopra, Vijay Verma, and Richa Chadha, who used their platform and popularity to speak out against this heinous crime.

• Hrithik Roshan wrote on his social platform. We all have to make our children aware of what is right and what is wrong. Hopefully, the next generations will be better. Eventually, we will get there. But what in the interim? Now, such atrocities have to be strictly stopped with justice and the only way to do so is to impose punishment so severe that it will deter such criminals. This is what we need, perhaps?" his post further reads"I stand with the victim's family who are pleading for justice for their daughter and I stand with all the doctors who were attacked last night,"

• Priyanka Chopra, on her Instagram Stories, reposted a photo from the protest site. The photo shows a protestor holding a placard that reads, "If you don't speak up for her , then who will raise the voice for her ?" She shared this post with a sad emoji.

What Twinkle Khanna wrote is thought-provoking. She shared a picture on her Instagram handle and wrote, “It has been fifty years since I have been on this planet, in this country, but I am teaching my daughter the same things that I was taught in my childhood. "come back before evening, Don't go alone to the park, to school, to the beach."

Genelia D'Souza wrote on her platform, "A lifesaver woman on duty had to face this horror in the seminar hall. My heart goes out to her family and her loved ones – I can't even imagine how they are coping with this tragedy.”

The condition of Kriti Sanon's heart is clearly visible from her Instagram post in which she wrote, "Although we are celebrating our 78th year of independence and are feeling proud that as a country we are the leader of the world. How much higher have we have come in level... But it breaks my heart to see this horrific reality that women are still there, they have not progressed, unsafe in their own country, and there is no fear at all among the people who commit these inhuman acts. And even today, in every situation, the woman is blamed for being the victim. ,

Expressing concern over the safety of women in the country, she also asked, “Unless there is swift justice, strict punishment, and more importantly, better upbringing, nothing is going to change. When our very basic security is in question, are we really free? She captioned her post, “Heavy heart and angry soul. “Didn’t feel like wishing Happy Independence Day today.”

Suhana Khan also shared a message from her best friend Navya Naveli Nanda on her Instagram Stories. "Another horrific rape has unfolded before our eyes first and foremost, let us pray for her and her family. Women have always played a very important role in the growth and development of our country. Our workplace, our classroom, and our home should be an enabling and safe place for us. All men and women need to unite against the thinking and mentalities that continuously objectify half of the population or treat them as easy prey. When we go out of the house at night or when we wear clothes of our choice, there is no other reason for it, the only reason is that we have the right to live our life as we want and for this, we do not have to face fear or threat all the time. We cannot be allowed to live with this threat. Although the pain and suffering that the doctor had to endure that day cannot be compensated, we need to take concrete steps to ensure that this does not happen again. Be it imposing strict laws or creating safety protocols, whatever needs to be done, immediate action needs to be taken. We women deserve better. We will continue to fight for our betterment. Because nothing and no one should be able to destroy women and their dignity,"

• Famous actor Anupam Kher shared a video message on Instagram to express his grief and demand justice for the victim.

 

He demanded the death penalty for the rapist, saying there is no other and more appropriate punishment for such a heinous crime. Kher stressed the importance of raising a voice against injustice, especially in such situations.

• Filmmaker Karan Johar also expressed his horror and anger over the incident. He called it the biggest human failure in women's safety and criticized the authorities for not taking serious action. Johar warned that if justice is not given, it will have serious consequences for the country.

• Parineeti Chopra's fiery Instagram post describes the brutal rape and murder of a trainee doctor, saying, "If it's too hard for you to read, imagine what it was like for her to endure. Disgusting. Horrible. Perpetrators, they should be hanged."

• Ayushmann Khurrana's poignant poem, "Kaash Main Bhi ladka Hoti" depicted the gender inequality faced by women in India, sparking a powerful debate about gender-based violence.

• Actress and BJP MP Kangana Ranaut sought CBI intervention in this disgusting case, saying, “The murder of a trainee female doctor at the Government RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata is horrific and cruel…I hope that this case will be transferred to CBI for a thorough investigation and the attacker will be given strict punishment.

• Pointing out the lack of progress in ensuring women's safety, Kareena Kapoor Khan said, "Same story, same protests after 12 years. But we are still waiting for change."

• Preity Zinta's passionate plea to prioritize women's safety highlighted the failures of the systems that have led to such atrocities continuing today, saying, "As a woman, I want to say that I love Nirbhaya and Sorry for every girl who has been wronged. I'm sorry I didn't fight enough for you in the past. but not anymore! “None of us are safe until we are all safe… It is time the government prioritized women's safety.”

• Richa Chadha and Tisca Chopra also added their voices to the growing chorus of outrage, demanding justice for the victim and systemic reforms to prevent such tragedies from happening again. Richa Chadha urged West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to ensure justice for the victim, saying, "The women of this country expect a fair investigation and speedy justice from you @MamataOfficial."

• Tisca Chopra shared her concerns as a woman and mother, saying, "As a woman and the mother of a young girl, how do I feel when another woman is raped? An 'independent', educated, working woman, a doctor...so unsafe at her workplace after working 36-hour shifts?  Hopefully, we can wish Happy Independence Day next year... because freedom has no meaning without security."

• Alia Bhatt expressed her outrage, saying, "Another brutal rape. Another day of realizing that women are not safe anywhere... Another horrific atrocity to remind us that the Nirbhaya case is a tragedy." It's been more than a decade, but still not much has changed.”

• Sara Ali Khan shared a post on her Instagram story demanding "justice for women".

Expressing his anger and grief over the brutal rape and murder of the doctor, popular Bollywood actor R Madhavan took to his social media platform and shared a heart-touching message "I am pondering over the right words to express my thoughts. If the #Nirbhaya incident has not brought any change and this heinous crime continues, then what stringent measures should be implemented to instill a sense of fear among the criminals? My thoughts and prayers are with the victim's family. No words or actions can ever ease the pain of this disaster that will haunt them forever,"

This incident, which took place at RG Kar Medical College, Kolkata on 9 August 2024, shocked the nation and sparked widespread protests across the country.

This incident has also highlighted the increasing violence against doctors in India.
The 2022 National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) report shows that 30% of doctors and 80% of nursing staff in India are women, making them particularly vulnerable.

All Doctors across India protested last Saturday demanding justice for the victim. Protests took place in several cities, with demonstrators holding placards demanding justice and an end to violence against women.

Read also:

• Bhavika Sharma on Ghum Hai Kisikey Pyaar Mein's Intriguing Promo
• John Abraham Opens Up About Bollywood Struggles: 'To Stay Alive...'
• First Glimpse of 'Vishwambhara' Released on Chiranjeevi's Birthday
• Priyanka & Kareena Reduce Fees for Madhur Bhandarkar's Film