Indian journalist Sreenivasan Jain has stated that a culture of fear keeps top Indian celebrities from speaking out against Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government.
Talking on an American media outlet, Jain discussed how famous personalities in India stay quiet or go along with official events. Jain said that most stars go along with the government out of fear, not because of what they personally believe.
“I’d say a majority of them are scared. I don’t think a majority of them are closet Hindu nationalists,” Jain opined.
He explained that failing to toe the line usually brings quick trouble from state officials. “If you don’t comply, they’re going to send the enforcement agencies after you,” Jain warned.
To back up his claim, Jain brought up examples of people who faced direct trouble after speaking up. He noted that officials knocked down part of a famous comedian’s office after he criticized Modi, claiming that the building was illegal. He also mentioned how tax officers raided a close associate of an actor who started a YouTube channel critical of the government.
The host asked if massive fame offers any real protection in India.
Jain responded that stardom offers zero protection when the government targets someone. “Absolutely not,” Jain replied.
He brought up the case of Shah Rukh Khan’s son, who was locked up on drug charges that later fell apart in court. Jain explained that people in the industry saw this as a clear warning to stars who had not shown enough loyalty to the ruling party.
Jain also brought up what happened to actor Aamir Khan after he spoke publicly about rising intolerance in the country, noting that he merely questioned the environment at the time.
“All he said was that sometimes when I see what’s happening in this country… my wife and I think we should move outside this country,” Jain stated.
Jain added that the reaction was swift and harsh. “They went after him so bad that deals that he had signed- corporate deals- were canceled. There was an online hate campaign,” Jain explained.
According to Jain, the pressure goes beyond film stars and affects top cricketers, athletes, and business leaders too. He added that the constant pressure has pushed the film industry past silence, forcing it to produce state-friendly, nationalistic movies.
