Chetan Kumar, aka Chetan Ahimsa, an actor and social activist from the Kannada film industry is often seen talking about various socio-economic and political issues in Karnataka. Being born and raised in the United States for most of his life, Chetan is one of the few actors in the country who speaks, very often, fearlessly, about these issues on his social media platforms.
Chetan, a Fulbright scholar, who moved to India in 2005, rose to prominence with his on-screen debut in the 2007 cult classic film, Aa Dinagalu. Here are some issues which Chetan has spoken out about:
1. Mahad Satyagraha
On March 20th, 2021, he celebrated the 95th anniversary of the 'Mahad Satyagraha', a movement for access to water and human dignity for Dalits. Here’s a picture of Chetan with the Bahujan youth all prepared to fight for institutional justice via knowledge and discipline.
2. Discrimination against Muslims
On 21st March 2021, Chetan took to his Instagram to talk about the ban on Muslim shopkeepers from doing business at the Kote Marikamba Jatre in Shivamogga. Chetan has been an active advocate of equality for all religions.
3. Devadasi Rehabilitation Bill, 2018
During an interaction with the Devadasi mothers and families in Bellary, Chetan spoke about the history of the Devadasi system which was outlawed in 1988. He said it continued to perpetuate and stigmatise people in nefarious ways even in 2022. In his post, he urged the Social Welfare Minister of Karnataka to implement the Devadasi Rehabilitation Bill, 2018.
4. Implementation of religious texts in schools in Karnataka
While taking about the inclusion of religious texts in school curriculum in schools in Karnataka, Chetan, in an Instagram post asks about all religious texts - the Bhagavad Gita, the Quran, and the Bible preaching inequality and violence in their own contexts. He asks, “How is this inclusion constitutional, let alone moral?"
5. Educational rights
In a post from February 7, 2021, Chetan candidly speaks about a protest in support of educational rights launched by ‘KA Ambedkarites’, he said that the blue shawl did not symbolise a single religion, instead, it stood for the human rights and symbolised the ongoing struggle for equity in Karnataka. He also advocates for the education rights of college-going women from low-income families.
6. Pride month
In July 2022, the actor said, "It's time to identify our LGBTQ+ community members worldwide," He also spoke about how a majority of the LGBTQ+ members hide their identities fearing social constructions in India. “We must build a safe and free environment for our children, and raise awareness, especially during the pride month," he says.
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