MUMBAI: Bollywood has expressed tumultuous emotions such as grief, anguish, shock and outrage post the Delhi gang rape case. The country awoke to the ghastly news of the horrifying gang rape of a 23-year old student in New Delhi, on Monday.
The girl was abducted in a bus and was brutally raped by a gang of men, including the driver of the bus. She was accompanied by a male friend, who tried to save her, but was beaten repeatedly by the criminals.
Actor-politician Jaya Bachchan broke down while the Rajya Sabha was in session and asked very pointed questions to the government. “First of all, whatever happened? Did the government send any condolence to the family? Did you publicly make any announcement saying we are so sorry something so shameful happened in our country?” She also said that she was very ashamed. “I personally feel very, very ashamed that I am sitting in this house and not being able to do anything. What is going to happen to her? Everybody will forget but she will remember for the rest of her life. It will be a scar. It’s a terrible mental torture. How are you going to repay for this?”
Kareena Kapoor spoke out at a press conference in the capital city, just yesterday, and called for a complete overhaul of existing laws and the guarantee of speedy justice to such victims of sexual crimes. “Whatever happened, it really should not have happened. In our country, we always take safety measures after any shocking incident happens. I definitely would like to say that getting justice in the country is really time taking. Our laws should be reassessed. Justice has to happen faster,” Kareena passionately appealed.
“I read today that there are 40 impending cases of rape, where victims are still awaiting justice. By saying that a woman should not go out at night should not be a solution to this problem. Being a modern woman, I don’t support such statements. And being a modern woman, I like to party late. This is really a matter of shame that such incidents are happening in metropolitan cities. There are many such cases in the interiors of our country which don’t come to our knowledge,” she added.
Farhan Akhtar hit the most sensitive, poignant note when he composed a moving poem about the horror he felt upon hearing this news. Farhan Akhtar took to poetry to express his angst and anguish in a moving poem, titled ‘What is this country that I live in?’
A host of other Bollywood stars took to twitter to express their grief and mounting sense of helplessness upon learning of such a heinous crime against women.
Amitabh Bachchan: “Durga, Kali, Lakshmi are goddesses .. we pay homage to them, respect them. Women need to be respected, and given pride of place !!
Anurag Kashyap: “We need to stop objectifying our women in what we call our second religion.. Our films. And our TV Shows.”
Farah Khan: “Smtimes I think the Shariat law would work well here! V r becoming a country of barbarians..Castration 4 rape wld send out the right message”
Pritish Nandy: “For once someone should have the self respect to step down for failing to stop such rapes in Delhi.”
Juhi Chawla: “Sometimes I wish our laws were as simple & strict as tooth for tooth & an eye for an eye. Crimes like this wouldn’t happen!”
Arjun Rampal: “New set of laws and more severe punishments are required for these kind of criminals. Rapist should be publicly flogged. No more tolerance.”
Resul Pookutty: “The shocking news of the rape in Delhi!.Can’t believe it’s the same Delhi I was roaming around last week, ugly face of a beautiful city.”
