Union Minister Smriti Irani and Deepika Padukone. (Photo Credit: IANS)
New Delhi:
Union Textiles Minister Smriti Irani has hit out at Deepika Padukone for visiting Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) saying that the Bollywood actress knew that she was standing with people who want the destruction of India. The Union Minister went on to say that Padukone's freedom to stand next to people who say ‘Bharat tere tukde honge’. “It was not unexpected to us that she was going to stand with people who want the destruction of India…I think we should decide which side you want to stand. Do you want to stand with people who wanted the destruction of India? Every time a CRPF jawan is killed, they celebrate,” Irani said at an event.
“She made her political affiliation known in 2011 that she supports the Congress Party. If people are surprised by this, it is because they didn't know. There were a lot of admirers of hers who have just discovered her position. As far as Deepika goes, I rather know where she stands. Stand. Stand next to people who said, 'Bharat Tere Tukde Honge'," she added.
Actor Deepika Padukone on Tuesday reached the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) to show her solidarity towards the students of the varsity, two days after 34 people were injured in a clash with the students of the JNUSU and ABVP. Her decision to not address the crowd prompted JNUSU student leader Aishe Ghosh to comment, "when you are in a position, you should speak up".
The 34-year-old actor was in the capital to promote her upcoming release, Meghna Gulzar-directed "Chhapaak". A masked mob armed with sticks and rods on Sunday attacked students and teachers and damaged property on the campus, injuring at least 34 people.
On Monday, Deepika told NDTV that it was heartening to see people come out and raise their voices without fear.
Bollywoodiyas taken out of the park. In style @smritiirani mam ðŸ™ðŸ¼ðŸ™ðŸ¼ðŸ™ðŸ¼ pic.twitter.com/KE3f7z9pUU
— अंकित जैन (@indiantweeter) January 10, 2020
Demanding boycott of her movie, spokesperson of the Delhi Unit of the BJP Tajinder Pal Singh Bagga tweeted: "RT if you will Boycott Movies of @deepikapadukone for her Support to #TukdeTukdeGang and Afzal Gang."
Twitter went abuzz with two contradictory trends taking top slots, one being #ISupportDeepika and the other #BoycottChappak.
