Trinamool Congress national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee has slammed prominent sports and film personalities for their silence following the death of former prime minister Dr Manmohan Singh, who passed away at Delhi's AIIMS hospital on December 26.
In a strongly-worded social media post on Sunday, Banerjee, while hailing Dr Singh as "one of the greatest statesmen India has had," expressed disappointment at the lack of response from celebrated public figures. "It is both shocking and disheartening to see the complete silence from prominent figures in the sports and film — individuals who are often celebrated as 'Role Models'," he wrote.
The TMC leader suggested that this silence might be motivated by "fear of government backlash," noting that such behavior has become commonplace among these "so-called 'ICONS'." Without taking any names, he also pointed out their similar silence during significant national events like the Farmers' protests, CAA-NRC movement, and the ongoing Manipur crisis.
Looking ahead to 2025, Banerjee called for a shift in public consciousness, urging people to "stop glorifying those who prioritise their careers and comfort over courage and accountability." Instead, he advocated for honoring those who make genuine contributions to society, such as freedom fighters, soldiers, and individuals who work for the greater good.
"The power of 140 crore Indians is immense. It's time we demand integrity and accountability from those we elevate as icons," Banerjee concluded, calling for a renewed focus on supporting meaningful social causes rather than celebrating those who remain silent on critical national issues.
