Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai
Mumbai, Jul 27: Actress Isha Koppikar has hit back at criticism and online trolling over her recent comments on democracy, saying she is unapologetically proud of her love for the country and does not mind being labelled for expressing her views.
Taking to her Instagram Stories, the actress shared a strongly worded message addressing those who questioned her stand.
“If loving my country makes me a label, so be it. I’d rather be proud than apologetic. Yes, I’m an Andh Bhakt. I’m a Bharat Bhakti,” she wrote.
Isha also reposted another message that read: “Opposing BJP is not Anti-National. But supporting Anti-Nationals just to oppose BJP is nothing less than anti-national. Now read that again.”
The actress' remarks come in the wake of reactions to videos she recently shared on social media, where she spoke about democracy, political discourse and the criticism directed at Bollywood personalities over their alleged silence on the CJP protests.
In one of the videos, Isha urged people to focus on substantive issues instead of getting drawn into social media narratives and online arguments. She also cautioned against the casual use of the term "dictatorship" in political discussions.
According to the actress, democracy is not limited to freedom of speech alone but also involves responsibility. She argued that a true dictatorship is a system where citizens cannot criticise the government without facing severe consequences, and therefore the term should not be used lightly.
Isha added that while every citizen has the right to question those in power and express differing opinions, it is equally important to acknowledge and appreciate the government's positive work whenever it deserves recognition. She described this balance of criticism and appreciation as an essential feature of a healthy democracy.
Her comments, however, triggered mixed reactions online. While some users supported her views, others criticised her, with several social media users alleging that her stance reflected her political affiliation.
One user remarked that people would question whether she had been paid by the BJP, while another commented that they understood her position because she is associated with the party.
Despite the criticism, Isha has maintained her position, reiterating that expressing patriotism and supporting the nation are matters of personal conviction that she is not willing to apologise for.