After making a striking appearance at the Met Gala on May 6 in a stunning sari by Sabyasachi, Bollywood star Alia Bhatt is facing criticism for her silence regarding the atrocities in Gaza. It is reported that Bhatt has been added to the Blockout 2024 list of celebrities being boycotted by their former fans for not speaking out against Israel.
Despite being included in the blockout list, Bhatt attended the Gucci Cruise Show in London on May 13, following her Met Gala appearance. The juxtaposition of glamourous events against the backdrop of the conflict in Rafah led to the Met Gala being dubbed “the literal Hunger Games” by disillusioned social media users, catalyzing Operation Blockout 2024.
This movement, driven by social media users, targets celebrities who have not condemned the ongoing violence in Palestine, which has resulted in the deaths of thousands of civilians. By blocking the accounts of these celebrities and influencers, users are essentially boycotting them.
“It’s time to block all the celebrities, influencers, and wealthy socialites who are not using their platforms to help those in dire need,” said one TikTok user, expressing a sentiment shared by many. “We gave them their platforms. It’s time to take it back by blocking them on all social media platforms. We sentence you to the digitine.”
Blockout 2024, also known as the ‘digital guillotine’, has gained momentum since its inception on TikTok. Lists of celebrities to be blocked are being shared globally on various platforms, including X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and Facebook. Bhatt joins other notable figures like Taylor Swift, Priyanka Chopra, Beyoncé, and Kim Kardashian on the list.
While many celebrities are being criticized for their silence, there is a small minority who have spoken out, risking their careers in the process. Actors like Mark Ruffalo, Ramy Youssef, and John Cusack, as well as Bridgerton star Nicola Coughlan, have actively voiced their support for Palestine.
To show solidarity with Palestine, several celebrities have worn Artists4ceasefire pins at prominent events, such as the Academy Awards. Singer-songwriter Annie Lennox commended Mark Ruffalo for wearing the pin, expressing disappointment in the lack of public discourse on the issue.
For now, the careers of celebrities on the blockout list remain largely unaffected, but their relationships with their fans may have been permanently altered.
