Several Bollywood celebrities expressed grief and concern over the recent deadly earthquake in Turkey and Syria that killed thousands of people. Actors like Priyanka Chopra, Alia Bhatt, Shilpa Shetty, Sozi Razdan, and Rajkummar Rao, among others, shared prayers on social media for the victims.
However, this is not the first time Bollywood celebrities spoke on international issues and crisis. Here’s a look at all the other times, these celebrities took to social media to speak on foreign issues.
Turkey-Syria Earthquake
On early Monday, February 6, 2023, a deadly earthquake of 7.8 magnitude struck the heart of the world’s largest refugee population, Turkey and Syria. After the most violent earthquake to hit the region in over a century killed more than 4,000 people, injured hundreds more, and destroyed thousands of homes and buildings, rescue and recovery activities are underway in Syria and Turkey.
Priyanka Chopra
The UNICEF ambassador wrote on Instagram, “Devastating. (broken heart emoji)."
Alia Bhatt
Resharing a post by Middle East Matters, Bhatt captioned it, "This is heartbreaking (broken heart emoji)."
Rajkummar Rao
The actor took to Instagram and shared a story that said, "Turkey, Syria. You are in our prayers. (folded hands and broken heart emojis)”
Soni Razdan
Veteran actor and Bhatt’s mother Soni Razadan also re-shared a post and wrote, "Just heartbroken (broken heart emoji). Prayers for Turkey (Turkey national flag and folded hands emojis)." Further, she shared another post about a fourth earthquake of magnitude 5.6 hitting Turkey on Tuesday and sharing a link to make donations, she wrote, "Please donate! It's easy...I just did.”
Shilpa Shetty
"Sending prayers to all the people whose lives have been affected by the catastrophic earthquake in Turkey and Syria (folded hands emoji). May the souls of all the departed rest in peace," wrote Shetty on Instagram.
Prior to this, they also took to social media to join the movement of Black Lives Matter, Israel and Palestine conflict, and Iran protests, among others.
Black Lives Matter
The movement began in the aftermath of the death of George Floyd in the US, who was killed in police custody when a white police officer knelt on his neck for nine minutes.
Several actors including Chopra, Tamanna Bhatia, and Kangana Ranaut, among others took to social media to raise their voices and concern regarding the incident.
Priyanka Chopra
“End this race war here in the US, and around the world. Wherever you live, whatever your circumstances, NO ONE deserves to die, especially at the hands of another because of their skin colour,” Chopra posted on Instagram.
Tamanna Bhatia
“Your silence will not protect you. Doesn't every life matter, human or animal? Muting any form of creation is against the universal law. We must unlearn and learn to be human again, express compassion and practice love. #AllLivesMatter #WakeUpWorld,” tweeted Bhatia.
Israel-Palestine Conflict
In April 2021, violence broke out in Palestine due to the political and military conflict between Israel and Palestine leading to thousand of gruesome deaths.
Swara Bhasker
“The cause of #Palestine and justice for Palestinians isn’t an Islamic cause.. at least it shouldn’t solely be that.. it is first & foremost an anti imperialist, anti colonial & anti apartheid cause.. & that’s why it should concern us all, even non-Muslims. #FreePalestine #AlAqsa” the actor tweeted.
Nora Fatehi
“One cannot advocate for racial equality, LGBT and women’s rights, condemn corrupt and abusive regimes and other injustices, yet choose to ignore Palestinian oppression. It does not add up”, she wrote.
Iran Protest
Sparked by the death of 22-year-old Kurdish woman Mahsa Amini, women across Iran have been spearheading the rising protests. Women across Iran were burning their hijabs, cutting their hair, and making flags out of them. In September 2022, Amini died in hospital after spending three days in a coma. On September 13, she was with her brother in Tehran when she was arrested , by Iran’s “morality police” who accused her of wearing an “improper” hijab. She slipped into a coma shortly after collapsing at Vozara Detention Centre. Following which, thousands of people, frontlined by women, took to the streets of Iran protesting against the oppressive regime.. Police and security forces have responded with live ammunition, pellet guns, and teargas and several people have been injured and killed during the protest.
Priyanka Chopra
“I am in awe of your courage and your purpose. It is not easy to risk your life, literally, to challenge the patriarchal establishment and fight for your rights. But, you are courageous women doing this every day regardless of the cost to yourselves,” she wrote on Instagram.
