Mumbai: Actor Varun Dhawan said Wednesday he did not take a stand on the nationwide protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) because as a public figure, he wants to be ‘responsible’ with his statement.
The actor said many versions about the protests are being reported and it would be wrong to express an opinion on the subject when one is in doubt.
Many from the film fraternity including actors Mohammad Zeeshan Ayyub, Farhan Akhtar, Parineeti Chopra, Richa Chadha, veteran screenwriter Javed Akhtar, filmmakers Reema Kagti, Vishal Bhardwaj and Anurag Kashyap, and Hollywood actor John Cusack expressed solidarity with the Jamia Millia Islamia University (JMIU) students against the police action amid protests against the contentious Act.
Varun also reacted on the protests Tuesday by sharing a photo of men belonging to different religions holding hands with ‘India’ written in the middle. He captioned the photo as: ‘Jai Hind’.
“What’s happening in the country is being reported. The reason why I don’t want to comment exactly on what’s happening is because there are four-five versions floating,” Varun said when asked whether he would take to the streets to join the protests.
“We are sitting here in Mumbai; right now something else is happening in other parts of the country. It’s wrong of us to comment about what’s happening over there until we don’t see that, until we are 100 per cent aware what’s happening,” the actor added.
However, Varun condemned the use of force against peaceful agitation but said there were also reports of law and order issue from different parts of the country.
“Any kind of force used against peaceful protestors is wrong. We are 100 per cent agreeing with that. Now, other law and order situations which are occurring, the people you named, even they commented about that and said that’s also wrong,” Varun pointed out.
“There are two sides to it. Right now, it’s such a sensitive matter that it’s easy to speak and say something or to slam someone. When you’re a public personality, people follow you, kids follow you. Once the situation has been studied, I will definitely give my viewpoint concerning something,” the actor who was speaking at the trailer launch of Street Dancer 3D here, added.
Varun said he is ‘not pro or against’ anyone. “I’m not fearful of anyone. I’m just trying to be responsible in what I say because I don’t want to instigate someone wrongly,” the actor asserted.
Asked if there is fear among artistes about speaking up against the government, the actor called it a matter of personal choice.
“I am not scared of anyone because I love my country. Speaking out today has become about social media. If you didn’t tweet, you’re wrong. But what will happen by tweeting? Is the entire country on Twitter? No,” Varun pointed out.
“Personally, I feel I can have those conversations in my living room with my parents and friends. The best way for all of us to make a difference is by how you live your life, how you are when you work, who your friends are. I never discriminate with people. So that’s me setting an example,” Varun signed off.
Agencies