Currently touring the US and Canada with his play Jaane Pehchane Anjaane, the actor shared a video addressing the protests, explaining why he felt compelled to speak up despite expecting criticism.
Anupam Kher has defended the right to protest and question the government amid the ongoing demonstrations against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, but said dissent should not be an excuse for abusive language or violence.
“I voted with faith in the leadership of our Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi Ji, and seeing everything he has done for the country over the last 12 years, that faith remains firm today. He particularly objected to alleged abuses directed at Modi and his mother, along with the reported mistreatment of police personnel, including women officers. Therefore, respect for the faith of millions of citizens like me should also be mandatory,” he said.
The demonstrations have been fuelled by allegations of voter-list irregularities and vote theft, with protesters demanding Gyanesh’s resignation. He argued that people supporting the protests should be heard, but so should those who disagree with them. Questions should be asked of the government, criticize the Prime Minister, and disagree with his decisions—all of this should happen in a democracy. But is it right to abuse the Prime Minister, direct foul language at his mother, behave rudely with police personnel, insult female police officers, and provoke them? No matter how fierce your opposition is, is it necessary to resort to abuse to make your point? The actor also objected to using the word ‘chaiwala’ to demean PM Modi, arguing that coming from a humble background should never be treated as an insult. Recalling his early struggles in the Hindi film industry, when he sometimes slept on railway platforms while looking for work, the actor shared the advice his grandfather had given him.
he also stressed that those supporting the government deserved the freedom to express their views While he said criticising Prime Minister Narendra Modi and challenging government decisions were essential democratic rights. In his Instagram caption, Kher said he did not want to remain silent simply to avoid criticism. Calling himself an unofficial cultural ambassador of India, Anupam said the videos emerging from the protests had left him upset. Making it clear that he was not questioning the right to protest, the actor said, “I want to clarify at the outset that we all have the right to protest. Sharing an example from his own life, he said he was proud to be the son of a Forest Department clerk and credited his father’s blessings for his success. “When I was looking for work in the Hindi film industry, struggling, and sleeping on railway platforms for a few days, he told me: ‘Son, remember, a soaked man does not fear the rain’,” he said, adding that he would continue to speak his mind without responding to abuse with abuse.
