While most Bollywood celebrities have decided to maintain their silence against the ongoing socio-political chaos in JNU, on Tuesday evening, Deepika Padukone joined the JNU protests with students against the violence that broke out on Sunday.
She stood in solidarity with the protestors as she met and hugged JNUSU president Aishe Ghosh who was gravely injured during the attacks.
Amidst the sloganeering, she stayed for a brief amount of time during which the former presdient of JNUSU Kanhaiya Kumar was addressing the protestors with a speech.
#WATCH Delhi: Deepika Padukone outside Jawaharlal Nehru University, to support students protesting against #JNUViolence. pic.twitter.com/vS5RNajf1O
— ANI (@ANI) January 7, 2020
According to The Indian Express, Deepika also said that it was heartening to see people raise their voices without any fear. She further added:
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.
Even though she didn’t say anything, risking her fan base and standing in solidarity with the JNU students was a gesture in itself. Twitter is applauding her gesture:
@deepikapadukone says she doesn’t want to speak just had come to express solidarity with #JNU students pic.twitter.com/GPlEjgEDYl
— Shradha Chettri (@Shrads_chettri) January 7, 2020
Wow wow kudos to her and much respect🙏 even after knowing that after this IT cell will come like hounds towards her and will try to malign her in every possible way
— Wounded Healer (@RADLAD9) January 7, 2020
NOW: Deepika Padukone at JNU amid protests and crackdown! She has been in Delhi for the past 2 days for the promotion of her upcoming movie #Chhapaak pic.twitter.com/3l7MbPSkx4
— Prashant Kumar (@scribe_prashant) January 7, 2020
Deepika Padukone in the JNU campus to show solidarity with students.#JNUUnderAttack #JNUProtests #JNUBleeds pic.twitter.com/2Ho4PaMHTd
— The Dumb Neanderthal (@knee_anderthal) January 7, 2020
She has everything to loose yet she is risking it.. #bae
— poster boy #teamtrees (@imilu_007) January 7, 2020
Were you in JNU?
— Jyotsna Bedi (@JyotsnaBedi) January 7, 2020
In support of protesters?@deepikapadukone pic.twitter.com/yjMJP0N72R
Even though she refused to comment on the ongoing situation, her actions spoke louder than words.