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Indian filmmaker and producer Ram Gopal Varma has provoked widespread international outrage following a post on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) in which he callously remarked, "In INDIA only one day is DIWALI and in GAZA, every day is DIWALI." The statement, a disturbing attempt to equate the Hindu festival of joy, peace, and light with the catastrophic humanitarian crisis and ongoing mass killings in Gaza, has been broadly denounced as an act of profound insensitivity, cruelty, and an outright mockery of immense human suffering.
Varma's analogy—which suggests a perverse form of 'celebration' in a region facing relentless bombing and a collapsing civilian infrastructure—has been universally rejected by commentators, activists, and public figures alike for its chilling trivialization of what many are calling an unfolding genocide.
The filmmaker's remark quickly ignited a fierce and unified backlash across social media platforms. Prominent voices from journalism, academia, and activism swiftly condemned the post, highlighting what they perceived as a severe moral decay and a shocking lack of empathy.
Award-winning journalist Rana Ayyub reposted the controversial message, publicly commenting on the nation's "morally corrupt" state in light of such public displays of callousness. Columnist Sara Ather criticized the "absolute gutter level of politics" being advocated and broadcast by Indian celebrities, suggesting a dangerous trend of normalizing brutality through public commentary.
The academic sphere also weighed in forcefully. Rakhi Tripathi condemned the evident lack of human empathy, stating that Varma "doesn’t know the difference between celebration and devastation"—a clear critique of the post's morally bankrupt juxtaposition. Further cementing the severity of the condemnation, activist Ali Asad described the statement as reflective of a "truly disgusting society," underscoring the deep shame and anger the remark generated among those advocating for humanitarian concern.
Critics were united in their view that Varma's post not only lacked compassion but actively trivialized immense human suffering amid the escalating global outrage over the civilian death toll in Gaza. The use of a religious festival, which symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil, to mock a place of current darkness and devastation was seen as particularly cynical and unpardonable.
The widespread anger was not limited to verbal condemnation. Social media platforms saw numerous, fervent calls for accountability. Users specifically urged X to take decisive action against Varma's account, citing the platform’s policies against posts that spread hate, promote violence, or mock mass killings and genocidal acts. The pressure on the social media company reflects a growing demand for platforms to act as responsible arbiters against hate speech, especially when it targets victims of a global humanitarian tragedy.
As of the current reports, the controversial statement remains public, and Ram Gopal Varma has maintained a profound silence. He has not issued any apology, clarification, or retraction for his post, further intensifying the public's condemnation. This silence has been interpreted by many critics not just as an oversight but as a defiant doubling down on the cruel and insensitive nature of the original remark, thereby prolonging the controversy and the pain his words have inflicted.
The episode serves as a chilling example of how celebrity status can be weaponized to spread deeply divisive and hurtful commentary, starkly contrasting the light and hope associated with the festival of Diwali with the profound devastation and grief in Gaza.
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