Kollywood celebrities, known for their vocal stance on social issues, have fallen eerily silent on the recent Anna University sexual assault case. While these celebrities quickly condemned similar incidents under the previous regime, their voices are conspicuously absent now, raising concerns about their selective outrage and potential political motivations.
Only a few Kollywood celebrities have spoken out on this Anna University case, while the loud voices when the DMK was in opposition are now wholly muted. Despite the case unfolding weeks ago, many of these so-called heroes and movie stars from Kollywood have kept their mouths glued shut, refraining from criticizing the DMK government, leading to questions about whether they will only speak out against women’s assault when it aligns with the political interests of their party.
Rajinikanth
Actor Rajinikanth, who had called for strict action against the perpetrators of the 2018 rape and murder of a 17-year-old tribal girl, has remained silent on the recent sexual assault case at Anna University. In 2018, while preparing to enter politics, he had stated, “Stringent action should be taken against the culprits.”
Additionally, Rajinikanth had claimed to be “unaware” of the Hema Committee report that exposed the issue of sexual harassment in the workplace, which drew national attention. Rajinikanth has also refrained from commenting on recent tragedies, such as the floods and landslides in Tiruvannamalai. While he had previously expressed strong reactions to the custodial deaths of Jayaraj and Fenix during the AIADMK regime, who released a picture of his ‘angry face’ expressing shock, calling for punishment for the responsible officials. Now, Rajinikanth has not made any public statements regarding the recent sexual assault case.
Pa Ranjith
Dravidianist director Pa. Ranjith stands out in Kollywood for his peculiarity. Unlike others, he tends to condemn cases involving Dalits only when they occur outside Tamil Nadu, where he lives and earns a living. While he vocally expresses his anger over incidents in northern and northeastern parts of India, he remains silent or even doesn’t care serious issues when they arise in his home state. His reactions, especially on social media, highlight his apparent bias, as seen in his past tweets on various incidents.
Wrestler’s Sexual Harassment Case
During 2023, Dravidianist director Pa. Ranjith condemned the arrest of wrestlers who were protesting and peddled narratives stating, “Condemnations against the manhandling of peacefully protesting #SakshiMalik and other Wrestling Olympians and World Championship at the #WrestlersProtest against sexual harassment by Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, Wrestling Federation Chairman and BJP MP. The champions who unfurled the India’s tricolour flag at world championship have been treated without any dignity and respect. It is a disgrace that the government has neither responded to the protest nor to their decision of the champions immersing their medals river water. In solidarity with #WrestlersProtest, I demand the immediate removal of Singh from his post as Chairman of WFI and MP and lawful action against Singh.”
Dalit Sexual Assault Case
Pa. Ranjith shared a post from his organization, Neelam Cultural Centre, which condemned the rape of Dalit women across India. However, when an individual and an organization speak out about such issues nationwide, it raises questions as to why he remains silent on similar incidents occurring in his own state, in his own backyard. It stated, “Every Day In India. #Shame! If these are the reported cases, then just try to imagine the unreported cases from backward rural India that many of the sexual abuses and violence by UC men at their farms against #DalitWomen, the real digit will show sickness of #Casteism.”
Manipur Riots
During the Manipur riots, when a tribal woman was paraded naked, Pa. Ranjith condemned the incident, which took place in northeastern India. However, he has remained silent, with nothing more than a sealed mouth, when a woman was sexually assaulted —this time, a student on a college campus in his own state. What has stopped him from speaking out in his own backyard?
He stated, “Condemnations against the BJP led governments’ silence on Ethnic Riots in Manipur Following the order to include the social-economically and politically dominant Meitei Hindu tribe into the Schedule Tribe list, broke out riots between Meitis and Kuki-Zo Christian Tribes. The riots have continued for two months leading to massive displacement, killing of civilians, sexual violence while internet has been shut down across the state. The attacks have taken communal forms with burning down of churches and places of historical significance of the Kuki-Zo tribe. The governments and its institutions in both – state and Centre being led by the BJP have disregarded the issue. This silence and insensitivity is in-acceptable and shame in a democracy. We demand the justice to the survivors of the violence and resignation of respective political representatives. My solidarity and support to the people of Manipur. “
Pollachi Sexual Assault Case 2019
Some may argue that Pa. Ranjith, as a Dalit activist, has always been vocal about Dalit rights, and that this silence reflects a contradiction. This was evident when he was outspoken during the 2019 Pollachi sexual assault case, where he sharply criticized the AIADMK regime. In a series of posts, he stated, “Every time incidents like Pollachi happen, which question humanity, we all ask women to be responsible and careful… but no change will happen just because of our sins, regrets, and anger after the problem arises. Everyone should come forward to challenge the reactionary views on women’s bodies, clothing, social activities, and culture in a male-centric society. We must introspect, or no matter how many laws are passed, the voices of the affected women will continue to be ignored by the authorities. We too will keep listening, watching, raising our voices, or doing nothing.”
However, now, despite the current situation where ruling DMK government spokespersons are brazenly victim-blaming the assault victim, Pa. Ranjith has remained completely silent.
Kamal Hassan
In 2023, Kamal Haasan joined the growing list of celebrities voicing support for the protest by India’s wrestling community. Marking one month since the protests began, the full-time actor and part-time politician addressed the issue on social media. He wrote, “Today marks 1 month of protests by athletes of the wrestling fraternity. Instead of fighting for national glory, we have forced them to fight for personal safety. Fellow Indians, who deserves our attention, our national sporting icons or a politician with an extensive criminal history? #IStandWithMyChampions#WrestlersProtest.”
Brothers Duo Actor Suriya & Karthi
The Dravidianist family of actors Suriya and Karthi are another example of hypocrisy. They have consistently aligned themselves with the DMK, openly opposing the AIADMK regime in Tamil Nadu and its ideological counterpart at the center, a stance they have repeatedly emphasized.
In 2018, while criticizing the AIADMK, actor Suriya posted, “Friends, now we are the ones eating mixture (savoury),” highlighting his discontent with the political situation at the time.
His brother, actor Karthi, was seen present at a press meet, condemning the Pollachi sexual harassment case 2019 and criticizing the AIADMK regime. Currently the actor duo’s mouth is tightly sealed.
Siddharth
Dravidianist flop-actor Siddharth, who has been criticized by netizens for his selective stance, deleted a post after facing severe backlash for not speaking out on the current Anna University sexual assault case, while he had previously criticized the AIADMK regime in 2019. In a post from 2019, he had stated, “Shocked by the #PollachiSexualAbuse case. Hope there is systemic support given so that survivors can come forward and strengthen the case against the criminals who did this. Preying on girls using social media is a growing menace and we must safeguard against it.”
RJ Balaji
Dravidianist hypocrite RJ Balaji, who refers to himself as the ‘brother-in-law’ of DMK scion and Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, previously condemned the 2018 sexual harassment case involving a minor, schooling society for it. However, he is now conspicuously silent on the matter. In 2018, via his social media handle, he stated, “What happened to the little girl in Chennai is cruel. As a parent, I feel petrified and unsafe for our children’s safety. Not able to imagine the plight of that 12 year old. We live amidst such sick men around us. Please give them the highest punishment.”
Earlier, in 2012, during the Delhi Nirbhaya gang rape case, Dravidianist RJ Balaji expressed, “From Delhi to Thoothukudi, wherever it happens, it’s a sick cruelty. Working on changing the mindset of Indian men (at least the next generation) towards women is as important as forcing the government to bring in stricter laws. I hope this time our anger doesn’t get diluted until both are achieved.”
However, he is now conspicuously silent, refusing to speak out, as he enjoys the success of his movies funded by Dravidianist ideology and continues to profit by aligning with them.
The silence of Kollywood celebrities on the Anna University sexual assault case is a damning indictment of their selective outrage. While they have readily condemned similar incidents in the last regime, their voices are curiously absent when the spotlight falls on the current ruling party. This deafening silence raises serious questions on whether they are truly champions of women’s rights or are merely political opportunists who prioritize their own interests over the well-being of their fellow citizens. The actions of these Kollywood celebrities speak louder than their words, and their silence in this critical moment speaks volumes about their true character.
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