Bollywood celebrities hail Kashmir decision
MUMBAI: Many Bollywood celebrities came out to congratulate the Narendra Modi government for its decision to repeal Article 370, and split the state of Jammu and Kashmir into two union territories Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.
Among those who were clearly overwhelmed with pride is Kangana Ranaut. Saying this was the first step towards a terror-free nation, Kangana congratulated the entire nation on the historic day.
“Scrapping of Article 370 was long due. It is a historic step in the direction of terrorism-free nation, I have been emphasising on this for the longest time, and I knew if any one could achieve this impossible feat it had to be Mr (Narendra) Modi. He is not only a visionary, he has the courage and strength of character to make the unthinkable a reality. I congratulate all of Bharat including Jammu and Kashmir on this historic day. We are together in looking at a bright future,” said Kangana.
Some, like television actor Ekta Kaul recount personal ordeal to explain why the move is bigger than it seems.
Ekta, a Kashmiri, married TV actor Sumit Vyas, and problems followed. “Ater geting married to someone who is not from Jammu, my basic rights were taken away from me. It was a litle unfair because in Jammu, if a guy marries an outsider, he’d be eligible to retain all his rights but if a girl gets married to someone who is not from Jammu, all her rights are taken away. So, ater marrying Sumit, I ceased to be a part of that state. Which meant, I couldn’t buy land and wouldn’t be eligible for the basic rights,” said Ekta, adding: “Ater this, I feel I’m a part of the state again. I feel if I decide to buy anything in the state I was born and raised, I can do it now. On a larger perspective, I think this will open up jobs. The state was not growing financially and people were living in a shell.”
Like Ekta, the reaction of every celebrity who hails from the region, is a happy one. Vidyut Jammwal, who was born in Jammu, described the government’s stand as “great”, and as one “had been waiting for” , adding that he was “proud of it”.