'In Gaza, every day is Diwali,' Ram Gopal Varma makes remark on Gaza
- Girikrishna GP
- 2d
- 3 min read
"In Gaza, Everyday Is Diwali": Ram Gopal Varma Statement Angers
Controversy-embroiled director Ram Gopal Varma once again landed in controversy by making his statement on the current Gaza war. The self-styled controversial social-media life of the director, known for controversy, tweeted on X (formerly Twitter):
"In India, only one day is Diwali, and in Gaza, every day is Diwali"
The remark, posted on October 20, 2025, immediately went viral, raising ire throughout social media for seeming insensitivity. The post has, since, elicited criticism from political leaders, journalists, and citizens, all of whom have blamed Varma for seeking to make light of a humanitarian catastrophe.
The Controversial Comparison by Ram Gopal Varma
Diwali, the light festival, marks the triumph of good over evil — a time of merriment, self-reflection, and get-togethers. Gaza, on the other hand, has been mired in one of the most devastating humanitarian crises of all time; thousands have been driven from their homes and hundreds have died under constant bombardment. By means of comparison, the latter seem to put war-time explosions and firecrackers displayed for celebrations, both of which most internetizens found "tone-deaf" and "deeply offensive."
Top leaders, including Priyanka Chaturvedi, Shiv Sena(UBT) leader, condemned the post, saying the comparison of Diwali, a celebratory occasion, to a warzone "points towards utter moral collapse." Other detractors, including Harmeet Kaur, an AICC media coordinator, alleged these posts "laugh at the suffering of civilians" by cashing in on Diwali for social-media attention.
Social Media Reacts: Outrage and Irony
Within just a few hours, Varma's tweet went viral all over the country under the hashtags #RamGopalVarma and #InsensitiveTweet, and thousands requested that he remove the post. Certain users noted that, although Varma frequently uses sarcasm and dark humor in his commentary, the timing, specifically Diwali, made the statement particularly inflammatory.
Some, however, defended him, interpreting the statement as potentially an anti-war metaphor, intended to evoke the horror of Gaza's destruction and not make fun of. However, as the uproar grew, the fine print, whatever it was, was drowned.
No explanation or even an apology has emerged from Varma yet.
The Larger Issue: Freedom, Sensitivity, and Influence
Ram Gopal Varma has never feared controversy. Over the years, he has dared to broach politics, religion, and culture in his trademark irreverence. But this incident raises an even bigger question: how responsible are public people when they speak of conflicts all over the world? In an age where celebrities are more connected and seen than ever, even a fleeting statement or tweet has a global impact. Sites like Facebook and Twitter disseminate opinions instantly, but they strip the nuance too, and remarks become fertile ground for miscommunication or controversy.
Experts of digital communication insist that celebrities have to uphold freedom of expression and social sensitivity, and most of all, when they are posting something concerning violence, torture, or religion. Quoting media scholar Anita Bhatia, "Virality isn't influence, responsibility is."
The Fallout and Reflection
While Ram Gopal Varma's tweet revived the question of the responsibility of celebrities, it also reflects the expanding blurring of personal freedom of expression and public protocols. It's a reminder to the audience that words, particularly on the occasion of war and festivities, are meaningful. And to public icons like Varma, it remains an indication of irony, though unintended, rarely hitting well in the midst of actual world tragedy.
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