‘Give them a befitting punishment,’ As Ravi Kishan demands crackdown on drug abuse, Jaya Bachchan gets anguished

Ever since the Central Bureau of Investigation took over the case of Sushant Singh Rajput, the Bollywood cabal is on the tenterhooks as the CBI is increasingly inching closer to completely expose the bigwigs of the industry. When Lok Sabha MP and actor Ravi Kishan raised the issue of drug addiction in the oil industry, Samajwadi Party MP Jaya Bachchan finally broke her silence to defend the Bollywood cabal tooth and nail and also slammed Kangana Ranaut for her audacity to question the drug mafia – Bollywood link.

BJP MP and actor Ravi Kishan took the opportunity on the floor of the parliament to raise the issue of drug abuse in the film industry as he stated, “Drug addiction is in the film industry too. Several people have been apprehended. The NCB has been doing very good work. I urge the central government to take strict action against the culprits soon. Give them a befitting punishment and bring an end to this conspiracy by neighbouring countries.”

Now anyone who has briefly worked with the Bollywood industry knows about the influence and popularity of banned substances and hence there was nothing wrong in what Ravi Kishan said especially in the backdrop of the Sushant Singh Rajput investigation where the NCB is inching closer to crack the drug mafia link.

However, in a sign that Jaya Bachchan is defending someone closer to her who will be in trouble, if the CBI and NCB are successful in their investigation, Jaya Bachchan chose to hit out at Kishan’s remarks.

“Just because of a few people, you cannot tarnish the whole industry… I was really embarrassed and ashamed that yesterday one our members in the Lok Sabha, who is from the industry, spoke against the film industry. Jis thaali me khaate hain usi me chched karte hain,” said Jaya Bachchan hitting out at the Bhojpuri Superstar.

Jaya Bachchan further stated that the government must stand behind the industry. She said, “Entertainment industry is so important. But so many people who have made a name from this industry are today calling it a gutter. The industry is being vilified on social media. Some of the people in the industry are among the highest taxpayers of the country. The government must stand by the entertainment industry.”

It is pertinent to note that Jaya Bachchan’s conscience was absent as she remained silent during the tragic demise of Sushant Singh Rajput. She remained silent when her favourite industry chose to smear the image of Sushant who is no longer with us to defend himself. Of course, she remained silent when Kangana was hounded and vilified, her office demolished for the crime of speaking up.

Jaya Bachchan’s conscience and activism suddenly woke up when the film industry’s dark underbelly is getting exposed. The question is what problem does Jaya Bachchan have with the fact that the NCB is trying to crack down upon Bollywood’s drug cartel?

However, Jaya Bachchan’s selective comments shouldn’t come as a surprise. On odd days she’s a fierce feminist who is striving for women equality and one even days, she keeps mum when her leader Mulayam Singh Yadav tried to brazen out rape by saying “Boys will be Boys”.

Ravi Kishan is as much a part of the industry as Jaya Bachchan is and there’s nothing wrong if Kishan wants the industry to be cleaned up. At this time, the industry needs people to take a stand bring out a change from within to save whatever little is left of its reputation, however, people like Jaya Bachchan will not allow that ensure that the Bollywood as we know it ceases to exist.