Swara Bhasker on why Bollywood isn’t backing Sonam Wangchuk: ‘They saw what happened to me’
Source Entity
The Indian Express
Education reformer Sonam Wangchuk's 20-day hunger strike over NEET irregularities has triggered a polarized response from Bollywood. While figures like Swara Bhasker and Sonakshi Sinha have voiced support, others, including Vivek Oberoi, have distanced themselves from the political issue.
The Intersection of Activism and Art: Bollywood's Divided Response to Sonam Wangchuk
Sonam Wangchuk, a renowned educator and activist, has entered the 20th day of an indefinite hunger strike at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar. The protest is centered on critical demands for accountability regarding alleged irregularities in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), broader systemic education reforms, and the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. As the strike persists and concerns over Wangchuk's health grow, the event has become a litmus test for the engagement of India's cultural elite with pressing socio-political issues.
The Strategy of Neutrality: The Case of Vivek Oberoi
A significant portion of the entertainment industry has opted for a strategy of calculated silence or neutrality. Actor Vivek Oberoi exemplifies this trend; when questioned at a recent event about Wangchuk's fast, Oberoi explicitly distanced himself from the discourse, stating, “Yaar main abhineta hun, neta nahi hun” (I am an actor, not a politician). While Oberoi acknowledged that the expression of diverse views is a hallmark of a "healthy democracy," his refusal to take a side highlights a growing trend among mainstream celebrities to avoid political entanglement to protect their professional standing and public image.
The Vocal Minority and the Fear Factor
In stark contrast, a few figures from the film industry have actively supported Wangchuk's cause. Swara Bhasker has been among the most vocal, not only visiting the protest site but also analyzing the silence of her peers. In an interview with The Lallantop, Bhasker suggested that the lack of widespread Bollywood support is rooted in fear, claiming that many actors are hesitant to speak out after witnessing the repercussions she faced for her own political stances. This suggests a perceived climate of risk where celebrity advocacy is no longer viewed as a safe or welcomed contribution to public discourse.
Rare Bravery in a Shifting Landscape
Beyond Bhasker, the support of actors like Sonakshi Sinha and the involvement of organizations like CJP (Citizens for Justice and Peace) are noted as rare instances of bravery in the current cinematic climate. The narrative surrounding Sinha’s support emphasizes that speaking truth to power has become an exceptional act rather than a norm. The current hesitation of the industry reflects a broader shift in how cultural figures navigate their relationship with the ruling establishment, moving away from open critique toward a more cautious, non-committal posture.
Historical Context: From Anna Hazare to the Present
The current climate stands in sharp contrast to the socio-political atmosphere of a decade and a half ago. During the anti-corruption movement led by Anna Hazare, the entertainment industry was far more integrated into the protest. Figures such as Priyanka Chopra, who tweeted support for the "war against corruption," lyricist Prasoon Joshi, and Amitabh Bachchan, who defended the constitutional right to peaceful protest, were prominently involved. The shift from that era of widespread celebrity activism to today's fragmented and fearful response indicates a significant change in the perceived cost of political expression for public figures in India.
Conclusion: The Implications for Democratic Discourse
The divide within Bollywood regarding Sonam Wangchuk's hunger strike underscores a deeper tension between the role of the artist as a social commentator and the actor as a commercial entity. While the protest continues to demand transparency in education and government accountability, the reaction from the film industry reveals a complex ecosystem of fear and selective bravery. Ultimately, the contrast between the bold support of a few and the strategic silence of many mirrors the broader challenges of maintaining a vocal and critical civil society in the face of institutional pressure.
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