Smriti Irani on Bollywood's silence on Op Sindoor: Don't watch them if you're hurt

India Today

3 days ago

When India launched its counter-terror operation under the codename Operation Sindoor, the nation rallied behind the armed forces. However, Bollywood faced criticism for its silence, with many questioning why prominent actors didn't speak up. Addressing the growing public anger, television actor and former Union Minister Smriti Irani remarked that the country stood firmly with its Army, regardless of whether celebrities voiced their support or not.advertisementReacting to growing commentary about the film industry's muted reaction to Operation Sindoor, Irani said the nation should not measure patriotism through celebrity statements.'If someone is not with the country, and their lack of support offends you, then don't watch them,' she said.
'Because, as an ordinary citizen, how can you express your anger (against their silence)? By tunning off. It is wrong to say that if an actor did not stand with the Army, nobody stood with the Army. The whole country was standing with its Army," she said.Irani emphasised that ordinary citizens have always risen to support the armed forces, regardless of whether celebrities have spoken out or not."The ordinary citizen, was there. The day, the ordinary citizen, will not be there, that day, I will be worried. So, till the time an ordinary citizen, and the parliament of the country is standing with the Army, you can question the silence of the actor. But I don't believe the country is sitting around waiting for an actor to say 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai.' The nation is well aware of these realities by now," she added.When India-Pakistan reached the brink of war, many politicians questioned the losses suffered by the Army and asked how many planes were downed by the neighbouring country. Many politicians have been demanding an answer from the government."Parliament session is underway; it will definitely be told there,' she replied.Irani warned against sensationalism in matters of national security, saying facts should prevail over headline-grabbing remarks.'As I said, it is very easy to give line-grabbing statements on the issue of national security. I cannot do it. I can speak very easily, but the right and responsibility of presenting facts in the Parliament is of the government—and the nation will run on facts.'She stressed the importance of following parliamentary decorum and history while dealing with sensitive national issues.'Our parliamentary decorum, the history in which he was lying, you will have to take a factual position,' Irani said, adding, 'And today the truth cannot be hidden from the geopolitics and social media and different aspects of media. So I think that the national government has the strength to place all the facts in front of the opposition and the country through the Parliament.'However, she also acknowledged that some facts related to national security may not be made public due to their sensitive nature.advertisement'We should also be aware that there are some internal security and geopolitical facts which will be known only to the leadership and will not be made public. Now I think there is a need to understand the mature reality,' she said.Smriti Irani, who held various significant roles within the Union Cabinet during her political journey, is making her comeback on the screen with the same show that made her a household name 25 years ago – Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi.- Ends