On 29th March 2019, a joint statement by several independent film makers was made to the people of India to vote out Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) from power. It was suggested in the statement:-
“As we all know, ever since the BJP came to power in 2014, things have changed. And only for the worse. A country polarised along religious lines isn’t the India we have known. Besides, the BJP and its allies have failed miserably in keeping their election promises. They are now using mob lynching and cow vigilantism to split the country communally. Marginalizing Dalits and Muslims is the name of the game. They are spreading their hate campaigns with the help of the internet and social media. Patriotism is their trump card. Any individual or institution that raises the slightest dissent is labelled ‘anti-national’. ‘Patriotism’ is how they grow their vote bank. Let us not forget that some of our eminent writers and media persons lost their lives because they dared to dissent.”
The entire statement can be read in the tweet mentioned below:-
Save Democracy: Joint statement by film makers appealing people to vote out BJP from power: https://t.co/2aCfd2NEuI
— artistuniteindia (@artistuniteind1) March 28, 2019
This was report was carried by several social media houses, including SatyaVijayi. The official twitter handle of Indian National Congress (@INCIndia) had tweeted this ‘Save Democracy’ report by independent film makers, suggesting how BJP was eroding India’s constitution, institution and diversity.
Communities across India are standing up against the BJP govt's misuse of power, hate politics & polarisation. Over 100 filmmakers have come together to appeal to every Indian to stop BJP from eroding our Constitution, our institutions & our diversity. https://t.co/3ypJxVZa9p
— Congress (@INCIndia) March 30, 2019
Aarti Patel is an Indian actor and producer known for her work in Gujarati cinema. She has appeared in the movies Bey Yaar (2014) and Mission Mummy (2016). In 2017, she turned producer with the movie Love Ni Bhavai starring Malhar Thakar, Aarohi Patel, and Pratik Gandhi. Her name has been mentioned in this ‘Save Democracy’ appeal by the independent film makers.
The actor/producer, in twitter, has denied signing this appeal or being a part of this joint statement, she has infact called out this entire statement to be fake.
It's fake.. I don't know from where they have got the names, may be from a film directory. I haven't given any statement nor signed any appeal.https://t.co/Acz6vM5vXH https://t.co/T5UpU1NXkQ
— Aarti (@aartivyaspatel) March 31, 2019