BJP slams Swara Bhasker over ‘Padmaavat’ jauhar remarks, accuses actor of insulting women
Actor Swara Bhasker has come under fire from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over her recent comments questioning the tradition of jauhar, in which women are believed to have collectively immolated themselves to avoid capture during wartime invasions.
Bhasker made the remarks while discussing the portrayal of jauhar in the 2018 film Padmaavat, directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali and starring Deepika Padukone as Rani Padmavati.
‘Is this what we want to tell survivors?’
At a recent event, Bhasker said the idea that women should die to protect their honour made her feel that she would be viewed as a coward if she chose to survive.
She also questioned the message such a tradition could send in modern society, particularly against the backdrop of sexual violence.
“Is this what you want to tell our survivors, that you didn't deserve to live?” she asked.
Her comments drew criticism online, following which the actor posted a video clarifying that she had not called Rani Padmavati a “coward”.
Bhasker had also written an open letter addressed to Bhansali when Padmaavat was released, raising concerns over the film's depiction of the character and the practice of jauhar.
BJP says Bhasker’s ‘voice is fed from above’
The BJP subsequently criticised the actor's remarks.
Responding to a question at a press conference, BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia used a play on Bhasker's name, with swara meaning “voice” or “tone” in Hindi.
“You just mentioned a person whose ‘swara’ (voice) is distorted. This person has a voice that is fed to them from above,” Bhatia said.
On Bhasker's comments about jauhar, Bhatia said such statements should not be made and stressed that women should respect other women.
Police complaint filed in Bihar
The controversy has also reached the police.
Krishna Kumar Singh, a BJP leader in Bihar, has filed a complaint accusing Bhasker of making derogatory remarks against Hindu society and Rajput women.
Karni Sena also targets actor
Bhasker's comments have also drawn criticism from the Rajput organisation Karni Sena, which had strongly opposed Padmaavat during its production and release.
The group had alleged that the film portrayed Rani Padmavati in a manner that was disrespectful to Rajput history.
Kirthi Rathore, women's wing chief of the Karni Sena, criticised Bhasker's remarks and accused her of questioning the sacrifice and bravery associated with Hindu women warriors.
Rathore also alleged that Bhasker had selectively criticised Hindu traditions while remaining silent on what she described as regressive practices in Islam.
‘Padmaavat’ and the jauhar debate
The final sequence of Padmaavat depicts Rani Padmavati leading the women of Chittor in jauhar to avoid capture and abuse by the invading forces of Alauddin Khilji.
The film is based on Padmavat, a 16th-century epic poem written in 1540 by Sufi poet Malik Muhammad Jayasi.
Bhasker's comments have once again brought the portrayal of jauhar, women's agency and historical traditions in popular culture into the spotlight.
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