India and Pakistan are once again on edge following a deadly militant strike in Pahalgam, Kashmir on April 22. There were many casualties in a brutal act of violence. The Indian government retaliated by conducting a large-scale military action on May 7, bombing and destroying nine of the terrorist camps in Pakistan. The military action, code-named ‘Operation Sindoor,’ met with widespread approval throughout the country. A wave of controversy was sparked by Swara Bhasker’s response.
Swara Calls It “Propaganda”
Though the overwhelming sentiment among most people was that it was about time that India gave a strong response, one Bollywood actress, Swara Bhasker faced tremendous backlash for having shared a post. The outspoken Swara shared a quote from the English author on Twitter.
“Every war is a propaganda. It’s amazing– all of the years of screaming, lies, and hatred, yet when the truth seems to finally emerge, you get it all from those that didn’t do it.”
The quote implied that war is frequently sustained by political narratives and manipulated emotions, not always by the truth.
There Were More Strongly Worded Posts She Shared
Swara didn’t leave it at the Orwell quote. In another Instagram story, she reposted a message that attacked the people who called for war without knowing the price of it. It read:
“If you want war, look at your family and say, Which one of them are you willing to lose? Because war is not just going to be on the border, it will knock on your door.”
She also shared a picture of the Indian national tricolour fluttering at the Karachi Bakery in Hyderabad with a caustic comment:
“When will the stupidity end?”
Social Media Turns Against Her – “Deshdrohi” Trends
The posts went viral, and immediately backlash followed online. Some people supported well her message of peace, a big section called her a traitor- “Deshdrohi”.
She was also accused of speaking like this during these times when the country is in shock, mourning and appreciating justice.
They did blame her for the time, as India had just gone on strike in response to what was claimed to be a terror attack by Jaish-e-Mohammed, a well-known terrorist group.
Bollywood Split in Opinions
Surprisingly, Swara’s post sparked controversy, especially as other Bollywood stars openly supported India’s efforts to combat terrorism.
They praised the Indian Army for its courageous response and severely condemned the Pahalgam attack.
What Lies Next?
The argument still stands. And Swara’s post kept her in the national limelight once again, stirring debate. Whether the message was a cry for peace or a rushed remark, one thing is certain: Her words have ignited a national discussion of patriotism and war and responsibility.