New Delhi: Bollywood actor Deepika Padukone, who is in Delhi to promote her new film, on Tuesday visited the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) campus to express solidarity with the students who were beaten up in the violence two days ago.
However, she left without addressing the crowd.
Padukone reached the university campus at around 7.40 pm and attended a public meeting, called by the JNU Teacher's Association and JNU Students' Union in response to Sunday's attack on students and teachers by a masked mob armed with sticks and rods.
Padukone remained standing as former JNUSU president Kanhaiya Kumar raised slogans; she then left by the time current president Aishe Ghosh started to speak.
Ghosh, who was assaulted on campus on Sunday, criticised the actor's decision to not address the crowd. "When you are in a position, you should speak up," said Ghosh.
"There are many people in Bollywood who do not put forth their views when they are not be aired. They are considered role models," said Ghosh. "I appeal to them: Make inspiring films after something has happened but when you are in that position, also talk about the story that is currently happening."
JNUTA secretary Surajit Majumdar said Padukone came to express solidarity with the students.
Kumar said he was unaware about Padukone's presence at the protest. "Hum nahi dekh paaye (I could not see), I could not talk to her. I didn't meet her," he said.
The 34-year-old actor is in the capital to promote her upcoming release, Meghna Gulzar-directed 'Chhapaak'.
Padukone on Monday said she feels proud that people have come out and raised their voice without fear, in reference to the protests against the amended Citizenship Act, the National Register of Citizens (NRC) and violence in JNU.
"I feel proud to see that we aren't scared to express ourselves... I think the fact that we are thinking about the country and its future.... Whatever may be our point of view, it's nice to see," she had said.
"I feel proud about it that people are coming out -- be it on the streets or wherever they are -- they are raising their voice and expressing themselves as it is important. If we want to see change in life and society, it is important that a point of view be put forward," she added.
A mob of masked men and women had stormed the JNU campus in south Delhi on Sunday and systematically targeted students in three hostels, unleashing mayhem with sticks, stones and iron rods, hitting inmates and breaking windows, furniture and personal belongings. They also attacked a women's hostel.
While the opposition has alleged that the mob was composed of “ABVP goons” and questioned the Delhi Police’s inaction weeks after their crackdown on protesting students at Jamia Millia Islamia, the Home and HRD ministries have sought reports from the Delhi Police and the JNU administration. The Delhi Police have made no arrests so far and have transferred the case to the Crime Branch, who claimed to have found "vital clues."
CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury, who had joined a protest march outside the campus on Tuesday afternoon, condemned the violence against the students and demanded the removal of the Vice-Chancellor.
"If the Vice Chancellor thinks he can silence students, then it will not happen. We demand the removal of V-C, identification of those who attacked students, and also rollback of fee hike," said Yechury.
Interestingly, Ghosh, who was attacked by the mob and received head injuries during Sunday's violence, has been booked for vandalism. Ghosh was named in one of the three complaints JNU administration had given to Delhi Police prior to the January 5 violence that were regarding the obstruction in the registration process and damaging of server.
(With inputs from PTI)
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