Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Abhishek Banerjee on Sunday appealed to Millennials and Gen Z to reflect on whom they choose to support, saying celebrities, influencers, sportspersons and film stars who remained silent during the ongoing student movement had failed to stand with the people who made them successful.
In a post on X, Banerjee said recent events had demonstrated the strength of young people in shaping the course of democracy.
"We have seen how a determined generation of young people can bring even the most powerful governments to their knees. It is a reminder that the real strength of any democracy lies in the power of its people," he wrote. Without naming anyone, the TMC national general secretary criticised public figures who chose not to speak out during the protests.
"Many celebrities, influencers, sports icons and movie stars chose to remain silent instead of standing with the youth and students of this country. Whether out of fear, caution, or self-interest, their SILENCE spoke volumes," he said.
Banerjee urged young people to think carefully before supporting public personalities through ticket purchases, subscriptions or engagement on social media."The next time we stand in a queue to buy a movie ticket, a match ticket or subscribe to a content creator, let us pause for a moment and ask ourselves: Does this person truly represent the values I believe in? Have they stood by the people who made their success possible?"
He argued that public support should be earned through actions rather than popularity alone.
"Who we follow is our choice. Who we celebrate is our choice. Who we make famous is our choice," Banerjee said.
Emphasising that influence comes from public support, he added: "The audience gave them FAME. The people gave them INFLUENCE. The youth gave them RELEVANCE." Concluding his message, Banerjee said silence during moments of public importance amounted to taking a position. "When history calls for courage, silence is never neutral—it is a choice,” he added.
He also urged people to be mindful of the influence they confer through their engagement. "Every ticket you buy. Every view you give. Every like, share, follow and cheer—they are not just clicks or purchases, they are ENDORSEMENTS. Spend your attention as carefully as you spend your money,” his tweet mentioned.
