Vir Das says ‘sheer hypocrisy’, asks Indian artistes to support students before trying to sell them tickets | Today’s news
Comedian Vir Das spoke about how to deal with the ongoing student protest in New Delhi. Fellow Indian living artists should support dissent, he said.
The International Emmy Award winner criticized the silence on the later sale of tickets to youth. According to Das, the audience should not be expected to support selectively.
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“If you are an Indian living artist. I hope you understand the sheer hypocrisy of not speaking up for young people and then trying to sell them tickets,” Vir Das wrote.
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Vir Das criticizes fellow artists for keeping quiet about the student protests when they later tried to sell tickets to the same youth. He calls this behavior hypocritical and emphasizes the need for artists to support the struggles of the younger generation.
Diljit Dosanjh publicly joined the student protests, condemning police brutality and calling on the authorities to listen to the students’ demands. He expressed that the voice of the people should be respected and treated with dignity.
Vir Das suggests that the ongoing issue surrounding student protests transcends political affiliation and is fundamentally about supporting the needs and aspirations of the youth.
Reactions on social media include gratitude to celebrities like Vir Das and criticism of those who have remained silent. Users expressed that celebrity support was key and called for accountability from those who profit from youth without offering to help.
Yes, Vir Das believes that Indian artists should actively speak out on social issues, especially those affecting the youth, instead of maintaining an attitude of political neutrality, which he sees as a convenient escape.
He argues that India’s gig economy relies on the collective support of young people. Some artists subscribe to political neutrality, which Das called a comfortable escape.
The standup comedian respects individual choices, but openly challenges that thinking. Das insists that the issue has now moved beyond politics entirely.
“I understand that ‘you’re not political’ which is a subtext for ‘I’m really comfortable’. I always look at those statements and think yes, man. But today I would humbly tell you that this topic is no longer political or partisan,” Das said.
“Now it’s all about the youth. And you can support them by creating what they care about. Besides, you’re doing it,” he said.
“Please help if you can. It’s not political. Post, help some kids. You have nothing to lose, they have everything to gain,” he added.
Read also | Abhijeet Dipke apologizes to CJP supporters for alleged police brutality
The reaction on social media was immediate.
“Thank you for your support. We will never forget your contribution and care for us, and we will also never forget the people who didn’t come forward for our help: politicians, cricketers, Bollywood, dancers, singers and all the celebrities we made famous through our support,” wrote one Instagram user.
“Truth bomb dropped. Thank you Vir for always speaking up,” wrote another.
One user wrote: “They only speak up when the authorities stop their concert after all efforts have been made.”
Another user wrote: “Celebrities should learn from you. But ppl here have no empathy.”
“It’s more important than ever to start boycotting people who will never show up in their own country. No more celebrity worship,” another user announced.
Diljit Dosanjh supports student protest
Diljit Dosanjh, one of India’s most popular live artists globally, also joined the celebrities supporting the student protest led by the CJP. On 20 July, he condemned the alleged police brutality in Delhi.
Dosanjh called the treatment of the students “deeply unfortunate”. He urged the authorities to seriously listen to the demands of the students. He described popular voices as the equivalent of God’s voice.
Read also | ‘God is watching’: Diljit Dosanjh supports CJP protest; social media react to the post
Prominent in the 2020 farmers’ protest, Dosanjh predicted he would likely be branded “anti-national” again.
“After the farmers’ protest, I faced many backlash and legal issues that I cannot even discuss. Rest in peace, God is looking at everyone – may God do what is right,” he wrote.
