Event Participation Sparks Online Debate
Bollywood actress Janhvi Kapoor found herself at the center of social media criticism following her participation in a Mumbai Janmashtami celebration on Saturday. The controversy emerged after the actor was heard saying “Bharat Mata ki Jai” during a traditional Dahi Handi event, leading to widespread trolling and meme creation across social platforms.
Kapoor, who has been actively promoting her upcoming film “Param Sundari,” attended the festival celebration as part of her promotional activities.
Actor Provides Context Through Social Media
Addressing the backlash, Kapoor took to her Instagram Stories to clarify the circumstances surrounding her statement. She shared video footage from the event that showed the complete sequence of events leading up to her utterance of the patriotic slogan.
The clarifying video revealed that someone else at the event had first said “Bharat Mata ki Jai” just before Kapoor repeated the phrase during the Dahi Handi ceremony.
Kapoor’s Response to Critics
In her Instagram post, the actress explained her position with a touch of humor, writing: “Just for context full video lol. Unke bolne ke baad nahi bolti toh problem, aur bolo toh bhi video ko kaat ke meme material.”
This translates to her pointing out the no-win situation she found herself in—explaining that had she not repeated the slogan after hearing it, that would have been problematic, while saying it resulted in edited videos being used as meme content.
Context of the Controversy
The incident highlights the scrutiny public figures face during religious and cultural celebrations, where their words and actions are closely monitored and often taken out of context. Kapoor’s response suggests frustration with how selective editing of public appearances can create misleading narratives on social media.
The Janmashtami festival, celebrating the birth of Lord Krishna, traditionally features Dahi Handi events where participants form human pyramids to break hanging pots filled with curd, butter, and other items. These celebrations often include patriotic slogans and religious chants as part of the festivities.
Kapoor’s clarification demonstrates how celebrities must navigate the complex landscape of public appearances, where spontaneous participation in cultural events can become subjects of online controversy through selective presentation of content.
