Bollywood actress Bhumi Pednekar has made a compelling and poignant statement on the celebration of Raksha Bandhan, questioning societal norms and advocating for women’s safety. Known for her unconventional roles and powerful on-screen presence, Pednekar took to social media on this significant day to shed light on the persisting issues of violence and abuse against women in the country. The message resonated deeply, especially in the wake of recent events in Kolkata, where a trainee doctor was brutally raped and murdered.
In her heartfelt post, Bhumi began by expressing her gratitude towards the male allies in her life. She shared, “Happy Raksha Bandhan! I’ve been fortunate to have had brothers and men in my life that have been my allies. Thank you!” This acknowledgment was followed by a call to action that questioned the foundational premise of Raksha Bandhan – the need for protection from brothers.
Accompanied by an image on her Instagram account, Pednekar wrote in Hindi, evoking the severity and frequency of gender-based violence women endure. “We have been hearing since childhood – So-and-so’s sister is beaten badly by her husband. But the poor girl cannot leave him. Her sister met with an accident; it seemed like it was a dowry case. Her sister was about to go to college, but some boys harassed her so much that she had to stop going. Someone threw acid on her sister. Boys would harass her, she raised her voice and this happened. Her sister was returning from work in the evening and got raped. She accompanied her friend on a bus and got raped. She was on her way to school and got raped. She was working in the fields and got raped.
. She was working late at night in the office and got raped.”
Bhumi’s words remind us that these horrifying incidents are all too common in India, continuing to disrupt the lives of women across various facets of society. Her questioning stance—“It’s 2024, why do we still need protection from our brothers? How many times and from how many people will our brothers save us?”—calls for introspection on the societal norms that necessitate brothers to act as protectors.
She further elaborated, “All those men who committed these crimes against women were someone’s brothers. When they did such heinous acts, do they not think about their sisters and mothers? Where is fear? Where is humanity?” This powerful remark is aimed at urging a change in societal behavior and the morals that are taught to boys from a young age.
“This Raksha Bandhan, raise your voices and fight alongside your sisters and daughters. Teach your sons good morals, and educate them so that the next generation doesn’t hear the same stories,” Bhumi added, emphasizing the urgent need for change that moves beyond the symbolic protection of Raksha Bandhan to a more substantial form of societal safety and respect for women.
The significance of Bhumi’s message is heightened by the recent tragic incident in Kolkata, highlighting that even in a rapidly progressing society, gender-based violence remains a stark reality. The actress’s call to action is not just about looking out for sisters but fostering an environment where respect and equality are the cornerstones, and violence becomes a tale of the past.
On her professional front, Bhumi Pednekar continues to take on roles that challenge and inspire. She is set to portray a cop in the upcoming web series ‘Daldal’, directed by Amrit Raj Gupta. The series is based on the novel Bhendi Bazaar by Vish Dhamija. In addition, she is part of the star-studded Netflix project ‘The Royals’, working alongside renowned actors such as Zeenat Aman, Ishaan Khatter, Sakshi Tanwar, Nora Fatehi, Milind Soman, and Dino Morea.
Bhumi’s last release, ‘Bhakshak’, has already made waves by highlighting the sexual abuse endured by young girls at a shelter home, reinforcing her commitment to impactful storytelling and social issues.
Through her words and actions, Bhumi Pednekar exemplifies the power of celebrity influence in driving social change. Her call for better education and moral grounding for boys is a significant step towards a future where safety and respect for women are inherent rather than exceptional. As Raksha Bandhan continues to be celebrated, her message serves as a crucial reminder that true protection comes from societal change and the fostering of mutual respect and humanity.
