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Malaika Arora and Richa Chadha Raise Critical Questions About Independence Day Celebrations
As India celebrated its 78th Independence Day, a number of Bollywood celebrities joined in the patriotic fervour, sharing their heartfelt wishes and celebrations with the nation. Amidst the widespread display of national pride, two actresses, Malaika Arora and Richa Chadha, used the occasion to raise poignant questions about the true meaning of freedom in contemporary India. Their thought-provoking social media posts offered a critical perspective on the state of the nation, contrasting sharply with the more conventional expressions of patriotism.
Richa Chadha: "Half the Population is Deemed Disposable"
Richa Chadha’s post on Instagram captured significant attention with its bold critique of India’s progress since independence. The image she shared featured the tricolour in a subdued, partial form, symbolising what she perceives as an incomplete freedom. The caption read: "I will celebrate Independence Day when we all truly attain freedom at midnight." Chadha’s words were a clarion call for greater inclusivity and justice, particularly for women, whom she believes continue to be marginalised and disregarded.
She elaborated on her sentiment by stating, "After 78 years of independence, half the population is still treated as disposable. This is not what freedom looks like. Women, unite! Expose the criminals, unmask the paper tigers, find genuine allies, and hold the guilty accountable." Chadha urged women to take control of their destinies, to organise, raise their voices, and claim their rightful space in society. Her post concluded with a firm statement: "This message is for the women of this country who live in constant fear. It is not for men to express how they feel. This conversation is not about you. Listen, talk to the women in your lives. Comments are disabled. Feel free to direct your anger towards other men."
Malaika Arora: "What Freedom Are We Truly Celebrating?"
Malaika Arora’s Independence Day reflections took a sombre turn as she highlighted a recent tragic event. In her post, she expressed outrage over the rape and murder of a female doctor from R.G. Kar Medical College, questioning the meaningfulness of the celebrations. She posed a critical question: "78th Independence Day, and what freedom are we truly celebrating? Another candle march... another protest... another social media momentum... all of it lasting only a few days, until the next tragedy emerges."
Arora’s words underscored a sense of disillusionment with the cyclical nature of public outcry and the perceived ineffectiveness of temporary measures in addressing deep-rooted issues. Her post was a call to reflect on the continuing struggles faced by women and the need for more sustained and substantive change.
Janhvi Kapoor's Independence Day Reflection
Janhvi Kapoor also weighed in on the Independence Day discourse with a critical perspective shared through her Instagram story. She questioned the prevailing societal tendency to restrict women’s freedoms in response to sexual violence, rather than holding perpetrators accountable. Kapoor’s post highlighted the tragic Kolkata murder and rape case, reflecting on how societal responses often fail to address the root causes of such violence and instead impose additional restrictions on women.
- PTC PUNJABI
