'If you don’t feel her terror, you are not human': Bollywood demands justice in Unnao, Kathua rape cases

Angry, ashamed and heartbroken is how most of the country is feeling after reading about the horrific rape cases at Unnao and Kathua. As the entire country is collectively demanding strict punishment against the perpetrators, film celebrities have also expressed anguish and anger at the recent incidents of rape and have demanded swift action against the culprits.

Celebrities such as Javed Akhtar, Abhishek Bachchan, Swara Bhaskar and Hansal Mehta took to social media to condemn the two brutal incidents that have shocked the nation.

In Unnao, a teen rape survivor claimed BJP MP Kuldeep Singh Sengar had raped her and the death of her father in police custody. The Yogi Adityanath-led Uttar Pradesh government has filed a first information report (FIR) against Sengar.

In Kathua, an eight-year-old girl was allegedly gang-raped by six men who had held her in captivity in a small temple village for a week in January. She was drugged so that she could be sexually assaulted again before being bludgeoned to death.

Noted screenwriter Javed Akhtar said it was high time that people came forward in support of women rights.

"All those who wish justice for women should stand up and raise their voices against the rapists and their protectors in Unnao and Kathua.

"In Unnao, the brother of the alleged rapist is arrested for beating the father of the rape victim which caused his death. So far police have not taken any action in the rape case. The MLA is walking free and has the audacity to call the victim and her family 'lowly people'," he wrote.

Director Hansal Mehta retweeted The New York Times piece which detailed how the 8-year-old's rape and murder led to protests by Hindu nationalists who defended the accused in the case.
"'Is this nationalism'" Mehta wrote alongside the link.

Sonam Kapoor also shared the same article and called out "fake nationals and fake Hindus" in her tweet.

"Ashamed appalled and disgusted by fake nationals and fake Hindus. I cannot believe this is happening in my country," she wrote.

Riteish Deshmukh wrote, "An 8-year-old is drugged, raped & murdered and another one is fighting for justice for herself and the death of her father in custody. We have a choice either raise your voice or be a silent spectator. 'Stand up for what is right even if you are standing alone.' #Kathua #Unnao

Filmmaker Shirish Kunder shared a news article and wrote, "Please read this. If your blood boils, please share it. Because at a time when there's a section of people supporting these monsters, it'll mean some humanity is still alive."

Tisca Chopra also tweeted, "So pained to read about #Unnao & #Kathua rapes.. How strongly the government responds will be its true test @PMOIndia... At least I won't vote for them coming elections if they don't take action this time."

Actor Rahul Bose called the incidents "gut-wrenching.""Unimaginable depravity that is disturbing on so many levels. Our response will decide what we have become as a society," Bose added.

Actors Ranvir Shorey and Richa Chadha attacked the people who defended the accused in the name of religion.

"If these people had an iota of reverence and respect for Hinduism, they'd be up in arms against the people who used a temple to torture, rape and murder a child! These are slogans to be used when the people who have committed these crimes are hanged! Utterly appalling that slogans like 'Jai Shri Ram' and 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai' are being used to defend perpetrators of heinous crimes. These vicious beasts will destroy India and Hinduism. Unnao and Kathua," Shorey said.

"These men fast on Navratras and pray to Devi Ma, yet they defend a man who plotted the rape, torture and murder of a child inside a temple. Look at them, Shame them. If a stray news report can make credible people. Hindu haters why are these fake Hindus not unemployed," Chadha tweeted.

Nimrat Kaur wrote, "Equal rights/gender bias/pay disparity all seem like such distant, first world concerns.Lets begin with addressing the unmentionable horrors of the absence of humanity.The only way forward, if at all, from this blood-curdling barbarism is justice.Heartbroken and aghast."