Former Bollywood actor and outspoken activist Swara Bhasker has reignited discussions across social media platforms with her latest post on X, expressing support for a solidarity rally for Gaza and Palestine. The rally is scheduled to be held at Mumbai’s Azad Maidan on Wednesday, June 18.
The event is being organized by a collective of progressive political organizations and civil society groups aiming to raise awareness about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Swara Bhasker’s open endorsement of the rally has sparked mixed reactions online—while some users supported her stance, others criticized and questioned her motives.
Swara Bhasker took to her official X handle (formerly Twitter) to share a poster promoting the upcoming rally, writing, “Mumbai.. Show up for Palestine on 18 June! #stopthegenocideinpalestine.”
The poster appeals to Indian citizens to unite against what it terms the “Israeli genocide in Gaza” and urges the Indian government to reconsider its position on the Israel-Palestine conflict.
The event is being coordinated by a coalition of political parties and social organizations, including the CPI, CPI(M), CPI(ML) Liberation, Samajwadi Party, AIFB, RPI (Secular), and several others.
Swara Bhasker’s post rapidly gained traction online, sparking a flurry of polarized reactions. While a section of supporters applauded her for voicing concern over a humanitarian crisis, others accused her of exhibiting selective empathy. Many questioned her silence on the recent terror attack in Pahalgam.
One social media user commented, “Why do you always protest for only one side? What about the victims in Pahalgam or the persecuted minorities in other parts of the world?” Another wrote, “If you really care, go to Palestine instead of doing PR events in Mumbai.”
Some users went a step further, tagging Mumbai Police and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, urging authorities to examine the legality of the protest and Swara Bhasker’s involvement.
Controversy is nothing new for Swara Bhasker. Over the years, her social media posts have frequently stirred public debate—from voicing support during the Rohingya refugee crisis to actively participating in the CAA protests.
As of now, Swara Bhasker has not responded to the online backlash.
