Filmmaker Karan Johar and actor Anupam Kher shared their dismay and shock over the Kolkata doctor rape-murder case. The director posted a long note on his Instagram Stories, expressing his displeasure over the state of women’s safety in India. He began his note by saying that he had been trying to comment on the case for quite some time now, and finally mustered the courage to speak out.

Karan wrote that the case reflects the biggest failure of our country and will have “consequences”. He highlighted that it is ironic for the citizens of the country to be celebrating 78 years of independence while women in an independent nation are still not free.

He wrote, “For the past few days I have been trying to express my thoughts on this heinous, unpardonable crime… the biggest human failure to protect women… I still have no words… how can any written word describe this atrocity… words matter but actions and authorities realising the fact that if justice is not strictly served, it will be the end of us!!! (sic).”

KJo, as he is popularly known, said that it is heartbreaking to realise the kind of atrocities women face every day in the country. He added, “We have failed our women and this failure will last forever.” Deed This will affect… all of us… The irony of freedom for every living woman in our country! It breaks my heart and makes me sick inside… (sic).”

Karan spoke with his fellow filmmakers and actors on the matter. Earlier, when India celebrated its Independence Day, many Bollywood stars posted emotional posts on social media, in which they expressed their anger and disappointment over the incident.

Veteran actor Anupam Kher on Friday shared a video on Instagram demanding justice in the case. He shared detailed information of the case and explained how the victim was the only daughter of the family and the country failed to protect her. Kher demanded public death penalty for the rapist and said “The only punishment for this is death, there is no other punishment (Thus).”

Zoya shared an emotional poem written by Farhan, while actress Kalki Koechlin wrote a long note, saying that “the spotlight should be on the men who are raping, the way boys are brought up in our society, and not on the women and children who are victims of rape.”

Other celebs including Bhumi Pednekar, Ayushmann Khurrana, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Preity Zinta, Dia Mirza, Navya Nanda, Kangana Ranaut, Sara Ali Khan, Hrithik Roshan, Kriti Sanon, Samantha and Janhvi Kapoor also raised their voices against crimes against women through social media, according to Media Post.

A 31-year-old resident doctor was raped, strangled and then killed at the state-run RG Kar Hospital in Kolkata on Friday, August 9. She was found nude and had multiple injuries on her body. The incident led to protests by doctors and various hospitals across the country. On Tuesday, August 13, the investigation into the case was handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).