Kajol Bows To Backlash Over Comment, Cong Calls It Fascism

While promoting her new OTT release 'The Trial, in a recent interview to 'The Quint', Kajol remarked had that there are political leaders who don't have a proper educational background. This had triggered widespread condemnation for two days on social media (Image: India.com)

Bollywood actor Kajol may just be the latest addition to the never-ending list of celebrities who have been trolled, silenced and attacked by right-wing groups, only because they happened to critique the current political dispensation in India.

While promoting her new OTT release ‘The Trial, in a recent interview to ‘The Quint’, Kajol remarked had that there are political leaders who don’t have a proper educational background. This had triggered widespread condemnation for two days on social media.

On being asked to give her views on the implementation of changes in policies related to women within the country in general and women’s empowerment in particular, Kajol had said, “Change, especially in a country like India, is slow. It is very very slow. Because we are steeped in our traditions and steeped in our thought processes and, of course, it has to do with education.”

She explained her point further by saying, “You have political leaders who do not have an educational system background. I’m sorry but I’m going to go out and say that. I’m being ruled by leaders — so many of them — who do not have that viewpoint which I think education does give you, at least the chance to look out for a different viewpoint.”

As the clip of the interview went viral, right-wing trollers have scrutinised Kajol’s own educational background and made derogatory comments about her personal life. One user wrote, “Kajol is a school drop out, her husband sells Gutkha [Ajay Devgn] All that didn’t stop her from commenting on our political leaders.”

Another person sent out this tweet, “Kajol is a school dropout Her husband is a college dropout. And bollywood is one of the most undereducated industry hence they make such silly movies without head & tail.”

Following the incessant cyber-trolling, Kajol was seemingly forced to take to Twitter on July 8 evening and issue a clarification. She said, “I was merely making a point about education and its importance. My intention was not to demean any political leaders. We have some great leaders who are guiding the country on the right path.”

Meanwhile, Congress leader Mathew Antony, commenting on this and other, similar incidents in the past, said that Kajol being compelled to ‘clarify her stance’ is an example of fascism in our nation. Antony tweeted, “This is what we call fascism.” He said further, “The entire Bollywood called out the INC in 2014. A performing PM, Dr [Manmohan Singh] was ridiculed. Come the accused in human rights cases of genocide crimes, they felt it was like a movie. They started getting scared. They started drum-beating for him. They thought their silence would keep them safe,” he tweeted.

Mentioning the recent upsurge of patriotic films, particularly those that starred Akshay Kumar, Antony said, “Akshay Kumar took a permanent residency of Canada [and] started praising Modi [and] BJP. Then, Kangana Ranaut started taking sides with [the] right wing. Ajay Devgun started making/taking on propaganda movies… All thought they are safe by doing it,” he added.

Claiming that Bollywood chose to remain silent, fearing attacks, despite the Congress’ requests to Bollywood actors to use their platform to speak up against fascism, Antony said, “Kajol made a comment on the need for education [and that] we are ruled by uneducated people. She never made a comment on the PM’s education. We don’t have the educational qualifications of PM Modi publicised. Had he not claimed that he is qualified, we would not have demanded to see his certificate… [When] Kajol made such a statement, her peace of mind, security, her freedom was shattered by the right wing.”

Antony said not a word of support has come from minister Smriti Irani. “Cyber bullying… abusing her modesty as a woman… personal [and] family security… Yet [not] a single word of support has come from Smriti Irani, who has her origins [also in] Bollywood. [Not a single colleague] from the fraternity [spoke up],” Antony said.

Meanwhile, reacting to the incident, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Priyanka Chaturvedi said, “So Kajol says we are governed by leaders who are uneducated and have no vision. Nobody outraging since it’s her opinion not necessarily a fact and also has named nobody but all Bhakts are outraged. Please don’t Yale your Entire Political Science knowledge,” she tweeted.

Tweeting in support of Kajol, Alt News founder and activist Mohammed Zubair said, “She hasn’t named anyone in this but A lot of bhakts have taken this statement by Kajol as an Insult to their Dear Leader.”