Swara Bhaskar, Vidya Balan back Gurmehar, say violence 'unacceptable'

Voicing her opinion over the recent clashes between the members of Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) and All India Students Association (AISA) at Delhi University's Ramjas College, Bollywood actress Swara Bhaskar on Wednesday said violence in the name of 'nationalism' is not justified in any situation.

Bhaskar told the media, "As a student of Delhi University and JNU, I just want to say in one clear term that in any given situation, violence is not justified."

"You can give explanation in any form by terming it as nationalism or as any emotion, but the fact is raising hands on someone due to any controversy or protest is wrong. If any group has any problem, they should sort it out by talking," she added.

Expressing her anger, the actress said violence is being witnessed over and over again in our country, which not acceptable by the society.

Meanwhile, another Bollywood actress Vidya Balan while commenting on the recent episode surrounding Lady Shri Ram (LSR) College student Gurmehar Kaur said freedom of expression should be respected in a democratic country.

"Everybody is right at their place. Only thing, I want to say is everybody is right to speak and violence in any form is not acceptable," the 38-year-old added.

Gurmehar, the daughter of Kargil martyr Captain Mandeep Singh, sparked a controversy for her social media campaign against the ABVP following which she also received rape threats.

Clashes erupted last week after the ABVP students allegedly manhandled and thrashed students protesting the cancellation of an event at Ramjas College at which controversial JNU student Umar Khalid was scheduled to speak.

The ABVP will tomorrow be organising a peaceful demonstration in order to restore peace on the campus and to call for exclusion of the Left wing.