Swara Bhasker Jauhar Controversy: Bollywood actress Swara Bhaskar is once again embroiled in controversies. This time the matter is not related to any of his films or political statements. Rather, he has made controversial comments on ‘Jauhar’ related to history. After one of her videos went viral on social media, many people alleged that the actress has insulted Queen Padmavati and the women who performed Jauhar. After this a heated debate has started on social media.
But the biggest question among all this is that what is Jauhar, what is its history and what did Swara Bhaskar say that created such a big controversy? Let us know everything.
What is Jauhar?
Jauhar was a practice in medieval India. When the defeat of a state was considered certain and there was a danger of the enemy entering the fort, women would collectively sacrifice their lives by jumping into the fire. This was done so that they do not become victims of oppression, slavery or humiliation by their enemies. Many incidents of Jauhar are mentioned in the history of Rajasthan. The most famous story among these is related to Queen Padmavati of Chittorgarh. According to folklore, when Alauddin Khilji’s army attacked Chittorgarh and victory was almost certain, Queen Padmavati and thousands of women committed Jauhar.
Controversy started with ‘Padmavat’
When Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s film ‘Padmavat’ was released in 2018, there was a big controversy regarding Jauhar. At the end of the film, Rani Padmavati i.e. Deepika Padukone and many women were shown performing Jauhar. After the release of the film, Swara Bhaskar also wrote an open letter to Bhansali. He had said that this part of the film gives a wrong message to women. Swara had raised the question whether a woman’s honor is more important than her life and whether it is right to show death as a better option.
At the same time, recently during a program in Delhi, Swara again expressed her opinion on this issue. He said that the Jauhar scene of ‘Padmaavat’ still troubles him. She believes that she does not agree with the idea that death is a better way for women than life and that is why the actress is facing trolling on social media.
Read this also- ‘Did not call Rani Padmavati a coward…’, now Swara Bhaskar gave clarification on Jauhar controversy, called the video wrong
Why was there an uproar over the statement?
While sharing some parts of the video of Swara Bhaskar which is going viral, it is being claimed that the actress has called the women who committed Jauhar or Queen Padmavati as “cowards”. After this, he is being heavily criticized on social media. Many people said that Swara has insulted history and Rajput traditions. Some political leaders and organizations also expressed displeasure over his statement. #SwaraBhasker started trending on social media and demands for the actress to apologize also started rising.
Swara’s clarification on ‘Jauhar’ comment
At the same time, Swara Bhaskar shared a video after this controversy and said that her video has been presented in a wrong manner. The actress said in the video- ‘Since this morning, a clip of mine is going viral on social media. In which I was asked why I had written the open letter to Sanjay Bhansali on ‘Padmaavat’. When I replied and told what my problems were after watching the film, I said something which is now being translated wrongly and being spread as a lie.
calling him a coward is a lie
Swara further said in the video- ‘It is being claimed in the video that the Jauhar that Rani Padmavati and other women had done is cowardly. I would like to clarify that I did not call him a coward. I said it in English and people translated it wrongly. If you do not know any language then you should ask. I had said that if God forbid I were ever a rape victim, I would have felt cowardly for not taking my own life after seeing all that. That is, I would feel that if I survived the rape, I would be a coward.
A video clip of mine is going viral – being mistranslated! I never said that Queen Padmavati or any Sati was a coward. it’s shameful that @ndtvindia And other media channels and people are provoking people by making false allegations again and again.
If you want to abuse then do so – but… pic.twitter.com/TR8sy5gRCr— Swara Bhasker (@ReallySwara) September 1, 2026
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debate divided into two parts
After this controversy, two types of reactions are being seen on social media. On one hand people say that Jauhar cannot be seen from today’s perspective. In that era, women had very limited options and they chose Jauhar to protect their honor and self-respect. In such a situation, it is wrong to call his decision cowardice. On the other hand, we are supporting Swara’s argument. He says that the life of any woman is more important than her so-called “honor” and it is not wrong to discuss the events of history from a modern perspective.
FAQ
1: What was Jauhar?
The practice of mass self-immolation by women when defeat in war was certain was called Jauhar.
: Why did the dispute happen?
Regarding Swara Bhaskar’s statement, it was claimed that she had misrepresented Johar.
3: What did Swara say?
Swara Bhaskar said that the Jauhar scene of the film Padmavat troubles her.
4: What did Swara say in clarification?
He said that his statement has been wrongly translated and misinterpreted.
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