New Delhi: Bollywood A-lister Deepika Padukone has created a buzz by deciding to drop in at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) to show her solidarity for students after the on campus violence on Sunday night.
On the other hand, BJP criticised the visit on Tuesday evening and called for a boycott of the actress’s forthcoming film, ‘Chhapaak’.
Deepika visited JNU around 7.45 pm and stayed on the campus for around 10 minutes. She, however, left without saying anything.
The star’s decision not to address the crowd prompted JNU Students’ Union president Aishe Ghosh to comment, “When you are in a position, you should speak up.”
On Sunday night, masked goons armed with sticks and sledgehammers had barged in through the university main gate. They not only destroyed university property, but also injured students and faculty members. Aishe Ghosh’s video with a bleeding head and the photo of professor Sucharita Sen’s bandaged head had sent shockwaves across social media, India Today reports.
Many Bollywood celebrities have taken to social media to support the students, with Deepika openly joining the fray on Tuesday.
The actress, who is in Delhi to promote her film ‘Chhapaak’, was in all-black — also a symbol of solidarity with the students — while visiting the university. Chants of ‘azadi’ are said to have welcomed the Padmaavat actress to the university.
After news of Deepika’s visit to JNU broke and photos went viral on Twitter, BJP’s Tajinder Pal Singh Bagga called for a boycott of her films. “RT if you will boycott movies of Deepika Padukone for her support to #TukdeTukdeGang and Afzal Gang,” he wrote.