06 Jun, 20

Abhay Deol Reminds India?s ?Woke? Bollywood Celebs That #MigrantLivesMatter

#MigrantLivesMatter, #MinorityLivesMatter, #PoorLivesMatter, posted Abhay Deol on Instagram. Not the one to mince words, he called out Bollywood and middle-class India for not taking a stand on matters that affect the country.

By Qrius

Illustration: Mitesh Parmar vai Arre

Last week, the US erupted into nationwide protests over the killing of George Floyd, an African-American man, while in police custody. #BlackLivesMatter re-entered the discourse and some stars in Bollywood felt like they had to chime in. The same celebrities who’ve remained largely mum throughout the migrant crisis unfolding in India for two months now, who did not speak up during the anti-CAA protests, who’ve turned a blind eye while minorities in India have faced discrimination.

Karan Johar✔@karanjohar

#BlackOutTuesday

2,996 5:16 PM – Jun 2, 2020 Twitter Ads info and privacy 670 people are talking about this

The irony of these film stars, speaking up in support of minorities in a country that’s on the other side of the globe was not lost on one member of their fraternity, Abhay Deol.

The actor called out the celebrities who had hopped on to the #BlackLivesMatter bandwagon by reminding them of issues more specific to their own country, posting #MigrantLivesMatter, #MinorityLivesMatter, and #PoorLivesMatter on Instagram. “Maybe it’s time for these now? Now that “woke” Indian celebrities and the middle class stand in solidarity with fighting systemic racism in America, perhaps they’d see how it manifests in their own backyard?” he wrote in the post’s caption.

Firstpost✔@firstpost

“Now that ‘woke’ Indian celebrities and the middle class stand in solidarity with fighting systemic racism in America, perhaps they’d see how it manifests in their own backyard?,” wrote #AbhayDeol https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/abhay-deol-criticises-celebs-voicing-support-to-black-lives-matter-movement-create-your-own-actions-relevant-to-your-country-8444361.html …Abhay Deol criticises celebs posting about Black Lives Matter: ‘Create your own actions relevant to…Abhay Deol said Indian celebrities and the middle class have turned a blind eye to the problems pertaining to the migrant crisis and marginalisation of minorities in their own country.firstpost.com 428 6:26 PM – Jun 3, 2020 Twitter Ads info and privacy 134 people are talking about this

Deol displayed a sensitivity and awareness of the ground realities that the others lacked, even though their hearts may have been in the right place while supporting the #BlackLivesMatter movement. It’s not the first time he’s come across as having a firm grasp on the underlying discrimination that runs through Indian society – he also called out his colleagues for endorsing fairness creams back in 2017. This time as well, his stand has attracted praise from many corners.

Umar Khalid✔@UmarKhalidJNU

Yes, solidarity begins at home. Thank you @AbhayDeol for stating the obvious!https://www.scoopwhoop.com/entertainment/abhay-deol-calls-out-woke-celebrities-positing-about-blm-overlooking-issues-in-their-own-country/?ref=social&type=fb&b=0 …Solidarity Begins At Home : Abhay Deol Calls Out ‘Woke’ Indian Celebs For Their Selective OutrageHis latest Instagram post talks about how racism is worldwide.scoopwhoop.com 17.2K 3:57 PM – Jun 3, 2020 Twitter Ads info and privacy 4,157 people are talking about this

While many would call out the Bollywood celebrities lending their voices to the protests in the US hypocrites for their silence on issues within India, the same charge can clearly not be levelled at Deol. That he chose to raise his voice for communities suffering in India, which is ruled by the Bharatiya Janata Party at the Centre, even while uncle Dharmendra and cousin Sunny Deol are members of the party is noteworthy.