Culture & Entertainment · India Bureau
BJP Criticises Actress Over Comments on Padmaavat Tradition
The Bharatiya Janata Party has responded sharply to remarks made by actress Swara Bhasker regarding the practice of jauhar depicted in the film Padmaavat. Bhasker had suggested the tradition reflects a problematic view of female honour.
LSN India ·
The BJP has launched a critique of actress Swara Bhasker following her comments about jauhar, the historical practice of mass self-immolation portrayed in director Sanjay Leela Bhansali's 2018 film Padmaavat.
At a recent public event, Bhasker had expressed concern about the cultural messaging inherent in depicting such traditions. She suggested that romanticising jauhar perpetuates a troubling notion that women who do not take their own lives to preserve their honour could be regarded as cowardly.
The party's response centred on expectations regarding how women should engage in public discourse. BJP representatives asserted that Bhasker should demonstrate greater respect towards other women and their perspectives, without elaborating on specific aspects of her commentary.
The remarks revive ongoing debates around Padmaavat, which has remained contentious since its release. The film, based on historical accounts and literary interpretations of the fall of Chittor Fort, has drawn both acclaim and criticism for its portrayal of historical events and cultural practices.
The exchange underscores the broader tension in Indian public discourse between different interpretations of historical traditions and their contemporary cultural significance.