After the brutal and gruesome attack on Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) students on the January 5, 2020, the University has been absolutely lull dealing with a plethora of damage, to both human life and university property. On 5th, right after the attacks took place, a swarm of people gathered outside the North Gate of the University to protest against these attacks, in absolute solidarity. Since then various protests rallies and Dharnas have been organised by the university students to stand in solidarity with those who've been injured in the brutal attacks that took place.

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While the government is either quiet or is playing its usual blame game, a lot of civilians are riled up and need pertinent answers to these attacks. Amongst the celebrities, Swara Bhaskar, through an engaging video, urged people to protest and condemn these attacks, while they were going on. After Swara, we now see Deepika Padukone stand in absolute solidarity with the students of JNU and our hearts are truly melting, seeing a prominent celebrity finally take a stand against the attacks on university students. Deepika is currently in Delhi to promote her movie Chhapaak, directed by Meghna Gulzar, which releases this Friday and while the actress was present at the university, she didn't address the crowd, and her decision prompted Aishe Ghosh, the student body president to comment "when you are in position, you should speak".

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Deepika joined the ongoing protest rally against the attacks that took place on students and teachers alike, in JNU. Although she hasn't Tweeted or shared her presence at JNU yet, there have been photographs and videos that have been doing the rounds and garnering momentum. While Deepika was at JNU, the news of her presence spread like wildfire all over Twitter and people were either criticising her for coming there to promote her movie or praising her for showing solidarity. The hashtag #BoycottChhapaak also gained traction. Here are some mixed reviews about her visit to JNU:

Glad @deepikapadukone turns up at #JNU ...First from the big bollywood stars league to come out so openly in support of the students...So much respect for her!!! Deepika u r a true star!!! Hope the KHANS take a cue. #JNUVioence #JNUProtests #DeepikaPadukone pic.twitter.com/018l96TE1a

— Bushra Khanum بشرÛÙ° خاÙÙ (@bushrakhanum86) January 7, 2020

#DeepikaPadukone reaches #JNU to show solidarity with students pic.twitter.com/r3zJR09XrS

— Raajeev Chopra (@Raajeev_romi) January 7, 2020

Deepika Padukone expresses solidarity with students in JNU. She is delhi to promote her upcoming film CHHAPPAK.#Chhappak #DeepikaPadukone #JNU pic.twitter.com/PNFM17hcqH

— Shivangi Thakur (@thakur_shivangi) January 7, 2020

There's another video where we can see Deepika standing at the protest rally while former Jnu students' Union President, Kanhaiya Kumar chants 'awaaz doh, hum ek hai'

Bollywood Filmstar #DeepikaPadukone at #JNU #JNUProtests #BanABVP #FeesMustFall https://t.co/tUw66v01gh pic.twitter.com/NqFerAF3yM

— Muhammad Wajihulla (@wajihulla) January 7, 2020

As more and more supports pours in for #JNU, Bollywood Filmstar @deepikapadukone reaches #JNU to show support to the protesting students. #JNUProtests#JNUBleeds #TukdeTukdeGang #BanABVP pic.twitter.com/87iQXxJqkc

— Muhammad Wajihulla (@wajihulla) January 7, 2020

 

1. Deepika Padukone's presence matters as middle class culture is sadly celebrity driven.
2. She may be being neither brave nor opportunistic, merely another conscientious citizen doing her duty.
3. These youth are not star struck & couldn't care less, that is a welcome change. https://t.co/o3B9rs1My3

— Kanika Gahlaut (@kanikagahlaut) January 7, 2020

India Today's reporter asks a protester if he thinks Deepika Padukone is 'brave' to show up at JNU. 'No, just opportunistic,' he says flatly. #NLPrimetime pic.twitter.com/wO13GsR7eA

— Jayashree (@NLJayashree) January 7, 2020

#WATCH Delhi: Deepika Padukone outside Jawaharlal Nehru University, to support students protesting against #JNUViolence. pic.twitter.com/vS5RNajf1O

— ANI (@ANI) January 7, 2020

 

#JNUFilmPromotion | 3 days before 'Chhapaak' release, Deepika Padukone at JNU campus for promotion, reveal sources https://t.co/QYYa0nmVXw

— Republic (@republic) January 7, 2020

 

Now that Deepika Padukone is using JNU for publicity-please support a campaign to boycott her next movie#BOYCOTTCHHAPAAK

— Sugato Bose (@BoseSugato) January 7, 2020

 

Don't watch Deepika Padukone Movies if you don't want to support #TukadeTukadeGang pic.twitter.com/WSSJkIJ3jN

— Ashish Merkhed (à¤à¤¶à¤¿à¤· मà¥à¤°à¤à¥à¤¡) (@AshishMerkhed) January 7, 2020

Whether her agenda was to promote her upcoming film or genuinely stand in solidarity with the students present there, we don't know. But the important part is that she showed up, which means she opposes the heinous actions carried out by the masked mob, regardless of her movie coming out this Friday and that's all we need to know or care about. We just hope more celebrities come forth and condemn these brutal attacks on students because their opinion really matters to the younger population today.

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On Sunday, a mob of masked young men and women entered the University, carrying iron rods, sticks and hammers and targeted students from three hostels, within the campus, including a women's hostel. They beat up the students and also destroyed public and personal property. Even though no investigation has started on the matter, the security has been strengthened in and around the University, while the students pray things return back to normal soon.

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