Overview
- On October 20, the filmmaker posted on X, “In INDIA only one day is DIWALI and in GAZA, every day is DIWALI,” a line that quickly drew heavy criticism.
- The post went viral within hours, with millions of views and a torrent of replies accusing him of trivialising human suffering.
- Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Priyanka Chaturvedi called the comparison hateful, and AICC media coordinator Harmeet Kaur K labelled it shocking and demeaning to a festival of light.
- Journalists including Rana Ayyub and Sara Ather condemned the remark, while countless users described it as insensitive and inhumane.
- Coverage noted Varma made a similar comparison in November 2023 and framed the backlash within the Gaza conflict’s severe civilian toll and Diwali’s cultural significance.