Shivani
A viral post alleging that Deepika Padukone supported climate activist Sonam Wangchuk has spread rapidly across social media. However, the claim is false. The widely circulated post, later reposted by CJP, misrepresented the facts. Fake Instagram Stories falsely claiming to be from Bollywood celebrities’ official accounts are increasingly circulating across social media. These edited posts are designed to mislead fans by making it seem as though stars have expressed opinions on controversial issues or trending topics.
Amid the ongoing student protests at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar and growing support for activist Sonam Wangchuk from several Bollywood celebrities, an Instagram Story allegedly posted by Deepika Padukone has gone viral. However, the viral post is fabricated. The actress did not share the Instagram Story, and the claim is completely false.
Deepika Padukone Reacts To Sonam Wangchuk’s Hunger Strike
The Instagram Story claimed Deepika reposted a quote about Sonam Wangchuk that stated the following: “He is fasting. We are scrolling. That’s the state of our democracy. Dissent is not anti-national, apathy is.”
She reportedly captioned the post, the report further claimed. “Why is no one speaking about this? We are living through the darkest hour of democracy. No matter how many films are made to glorify a failed leader, the reality remains unchanged.”
Fact-Checking Deepika Padukone’s Viral Post
Although the post quickly went viral on social media and was re-shared by Cockroach Janta Party Chief Spokesperson Saurav Das, it is fake. Deepika Padukone has made no statement regarding Sonam Wangchuk’s ongoing hunger strike. The Pathaan actress has neither shared nor reposted any posts related to the student protests led by the CJP. This comes as several Bollywood celebrities face criticism for remaining silent on Sonam’s hunger strike.
After 3 Idiots actor Omi Vaidya expressed support and urged real-life Phunsukh Wangdu to end the fast, many others also came forward, uniting to back the movement and publicly extend their solidarity as well together. Soni Razdan, Shabana Azmi, Abhay Deol, Swara Bhasker, and others urged Sonam to prioritise his health through supportive social media posts.
Razdan, mother of Bollywood star Alia Bhatt, wrote a note. “Dear Sonam Wangchuk, For your health, we all pray. Please do not leave us in this way. Please live to fight another day. Please stay. Please end your fast today.” “Dear Sonam Wangchuk, our country needs a person like you. You stand against injustice, stand for truth, we are proud of you. That’s why we request you to break your fast because your guidance for our students increases their courage. This fight has to be fought till the end, so you need to be healthy. We are with you,” read Shabana’s post.
Zeenat Aman, Prakash Raj and several others have publicly voiced their support for the issue as well.