Bollywood actor Swara Bhasker stirred a controversy again by referring to the jauhar scene of film Padmaavat as ‘cowardly’

Bollywood actor Swara Bhasker stirred a controversy again by referring to the jauhar scene of film Padmaavat as ‘cowardly’

Jauhar was a historical practice of mass self-immolation by Rajput women and children in medieval India to avoid capture, enslavement, and sexual violence by invading armies when military defeat was certain.

Jauhar was a historical practice of mass self-immolation by Rajput women and children in medieval India to avoid capture, enslavement, and sexual violence by invading armies when military defeat was certain.

Recalling the jauhar sequence during a panel discussion in Delhi, Swara said, "Watching it I was thinking that 'God forbid, I was a rape survivor, what is this film telling me? I would feel like a coward. That I didn't kill myself to save my 'honour'."

Recalling the jauhar sequence during a panel discussion in Delhi, Swara said, "Watching it I was thinking that 'God forbid, I was a rape survivor, what is this film telling me? I would feel like a coward. That I didn't kill myself to save my 'honour'."

Swara’s comments didn’t go down well with netizens who criticized her for not understanding the historical context due to which Jauhar was done

Swara’s comments didn’t go down well with netizens who criticized her for not understanding the historical context due to which Jauhar was done

““Jauhar” was a lot of things but, it certainly wasn’t a “cowardly act” Swara Bhaskar is wrong here that much I can say as a student of history. You can debate mass immolation but, you can’t call it cowardice that’s just being malicious,” one wrote

““Jauhar” was a lot of things but, it certainly wasn’t a “cowardly act” Swara Bhaskar is wrong here that much I can say as a student of history. You can debate mass immolation but, you can’t call it cowardice that’s just being malicious,” one wrote

“According to Swara, Hindu women who committed jauhar or suicide were "COWARDS" because they chose to die over the prospect of leading their lives as concubines of Muslim invaders,” another added

“According to Swara, Hindu women who committed jauhar or suicide were "COWARDS" because they chose to die over the prospect of leading their lives as concubines of Muslim invaders,” another added

“Jauhar was and remains an act of utmost bravery in the face of unimaginable brutality. Swara is using a false equivalence of rape to compare a medieval barbarity and atrocity. Showing stunning ignorance she says that she is arguing that why shall a pregnant women commit jauhar just to protect her foetus. What a wilful intellectual blindness.,” a third said

“Jauhar was and remains an act of utmost bravery in the face of unimaginable brutality. Swara is using a false equivalence of rape to compare a medieval barbarity and atrocity. Showing stunning ignorance she says that she is arguing that why shall a pregnant women commit jauhar just to protect her foetus. What a wilful intellectual blindness.,” a third said

“Swara Bhasker calls Hindu women who chose Jauhar “cowards.” Imagine sitting safely on a sofa centuries later and mocking women who faced war, captivity, violence, and the threat of sexual slavery. Jauhar was a desperate choice in horrific circumstances—not something to casually ridicule from the comfort of the present. You didn’t understand their history. You judged their suffering,” a fourth wrote

“Swara Bhasker calls Hindu women who chose Jauhar “cowards.” Imagine sitting safely on a sofa centuries later and mocking women who faced war, captivity, violence, and the threat of sexual slavery. Jauhar was a desperate choice in horrific circumstances—not something to casually ridicule from the comfort of the present. You didn’t understand their history. You judged their suffering,” a fourth wrote

“Alauddin Khilji attacked Chittorgarh, as a result of which 16,000 women committed Jauhar to protect their honor. Bahadur Shah attacked Chittorgarh, as a result of which 13,000 women committed Jauhar. Akbar attacked Chittorgarh, as a result of which 7,000 to 8,000 women committed Jauhar and sacrificed their lives. And this is Swara Bhasker, sitting on a stage and making fun of the sacrifice and martyrdom of those brave women,” another added

“Alauddin Khilji attacked Chittorgarh, as a result of which 16,000 women committed Jauhar to protect their honor. Bahadur Shah attacked Chittorgarh, as a result of which 13,000 women committed Jauhar. Akbar attacked Chittorgarh, as a result of which 7,000 to 8,000 women committed Jauhar and sacrificed their lives. And this is Swara Bhasker, sitting on a stage and making fun of the sacrifice and martyrdom of those brave women,” another added

After her statement on Jauhar triggered a massive debate online, Swara posted on X, “It is WILD that so many people are triggered (women included) by the basic idea that rape survivors have a right to life after rape!!”

After her statement on Jauhar triggered a massive debate online, Swara posted on X, “It is WILD that so many people are triggered (women included) by the basic idea that rape survivors have a right to life after rape!!”

Northeast Now

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