Amitabh Bachchan should know it’s his time to speak up, if only to stop Bal Thackeray from speaking in his defense.

Bachchan, one of the most popular movie stars in India and in the world, was asked to become the Brand Ambassador to Gujarat. What’s the controversy in that, you might ask? Bachchan was Brand Ambassador for Uttar Pradesh, his home state, not long ago.

The problem stems from Gujarat’s government. The Bharatiya Janata Party (right wing) Chief Minister of Gujarat, Narendra Modi, has been harshly criticized for his Hindu fundamental stands, most notably for his role in the 2002 Gujarat riots, one of the most violent events in post-partition India. The United States revoked his Visa the following year, and calls for his resignation were continuously made in the aftermath.

Bachchan was once the darling of the left wing, secular Nationalist Congress Party. He was pals with Rajeev Gandhi and was even a member of Parliament in the 1980’s. He now campaigns for the Samajwadi Party, a popular one in U.P and  amongst his fellow Bollywood colleagues. Consequently, the superstar has been harshly criticized by Congress Party members for his endorsement of their main competition (Samajwadi doesn’t align itself with BJP or Congress, but is not a right wing party).

Congress has constantly raised one question: Does Bachchan’s endorsement of Gujarat translate into his support for Modi’s actions during the 2002 communal riots?

Bachchan is usually comfortable sitting on the sidelines during major controversies– the latest was his silence on the Shahrukh Khan- Thackeray debacle. Before that in 2008, Raj Thackeray, another Shiv Sena member and Bal Thackeray’s nephew, accused Bachchan of caring more for his home state, UP, over Maharashtra. This criticism was made during a series of attacks on immigrants in Maharashtra. Bachchan chose to stay mum on the whole issue.

While  Congress is being a bit dramatic over his endorsement, Modi himself said anyone who questioned Bachchan’s action were “The Taliban of public life.”

Bachchan hasn’t specifically stated his rejection of Modi’s politics or previous actions; he simply stated that he is a fan of Gujarat’s culture, and is acting as a public servant.

It’s time for Bachchan to speak up. As one of the world’s most popular actors, all of his actions receive immense speculation, and sometimes criticism. Like columnist Vir Sanghvi, I don’t give in to Bachchan’s notion that supporting Gujarat and supporting Modi are that different.

If Bachchan supports Modi, that’s fine. It’s his right. But he shouldn’t keep hiding from every controversy that comes his way. His popularity wouldn’t wane if he was vocal– take Khan’s stance against Thackeray, for instance. He spoke agaisnt Bal Thackeray, and the film industry supported him. Bachchan, like Khan, needs to start addressing uncomfortable situations, whether it be over Congress’s silliness or Thackeray’s absurdity. Especially with that enchanting voice of his, the world would listen.

If Congress thinks that Bachchan will publicly renounce Modi, they shouldn’t hold their breath. It’s not Bachchan’s style. It seems as though all the ruckus Congress has created is because they are afraid of permanently losing the superstar to the right wing. Don’t worry too much, Congress– you still have Govinda.