Rohit Sharma’s wife Ritika Sajdeh deletes All Eyes on Rafah post after backlash
In a display of digital activism, Ritika Sajdeh, wife of Indian cricket captain Rohit Sharma, joined a chorus of celebrities and millions of common people by sharing the All Eyes on Rafah image on her Instagram Stories. However, the internet is nothing if not opinionated, and Ritika's show of solidarity met with such fierce backlash that she ultimately deleted the post.
Netizens slammed her for what they saw as selective advocacy, peppering her older posts with scathing comments that questioned her motives and expressed disappointment. Some fans even went as far as saying they were "ashamed" of her stance. "Never seen you posting anything for Hindus facing atrocities in Pakistan and Bangladesh," a fan fumed. Another chimed in, "My eyes aren’t on Rafah. My eyes are on Kashmiri pundits. My eyes are on Hindus in Pakistan. My eyes are on Hindus in West Bengal. Sorry but my eyes can never be on propaganda. My eyes are on real issues!”
Despite her retreat, Ritika’s fleeting support for the cause did not go unnoticed. A segment of social media users praised her stance. Comments like "Respect for you, thanks for supporting Palestine," and "Thank you for your story on Rafah," underscored the approval from those backing the Palestinian cause.
The All Eyes on Rafah campaign has garnered international attention, spotlighting the humanitarian crisis in Rafah following a series of devastating Israeli airstrikes. On Sunday night, Israeli attacks killed at least 45 Palestinians in Rafah. The world watched in horror on Monday as displaced Palestinians combed through smouldering rubble with their bare hands, searching for bodies, injured people, or even scraps of food to sustain their families a bit longer.
In response, numerous Bollywood stars have used their platforms to raise awareness and express solidarity with the affected Palestinian population. Prominent figures like Kareena Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, and Varun Dhawan have shared the All Eyes on Rafah image, amplifying the call for global attention and action.
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