‘Cops unleashing violence reminds us of British violence during our freedom struggle’!
‘Sonam Wangchuk’s cause-led protest is losing focus: India is not Nepal’
Several Bollywood celebrities, including Preity Zinta, Diljit Dosanjh, Pooja Bhatt, Sonakshi Sinha, Aditi Rao Hydari, and Genelia Deshmukh, among others, have expressed their support for students amid the alleged use of violence during a march to Jantar Mantar as part of the CJP protest.
The actors took to social media to highlight the importance of listening to young voices, encouraging dialogue, and ensuring that students’ concerns are addressed with dignity and empathy.
In a post on Instagram, Zinta voiced her support for students and also backed educator and climate activist Sonam Wangchuk. However, the actor urged Wangchuk to end his hunger strike, saying that his health was equally important in the fight for educational reforms.
On Tuesday, Diljit Dosanjh also extended his support to the protesters and urged the authorities to divert attention to their concerns.
Actors Riteish Deshmukh and Genelia shared a joint statement as they voiced their support to the protesting students and said they ‘stand in solidarity with the youth of the country’ The protest ‘Chalo Sansad’ gathered thousands of students on Monday as they marched towards the parliament building demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and protesting against severe exam paper leaks and education corruption.
Several other celebrities have also extended support, including Hrithik Roshan, Dia Mirza, Naseeruddin Shah, Sonakshi Sinha and Shabana Azmi, among others. Azmi even joined the protest.
Taking to Instagram, Pooja Bhatt wrote, “When the Police or ‘law enforcers’ use tear gas & lathis against students, it is eventually the state protecting itself. The violence is then justified and masked by terms like ‘law and order’ because crushing dissent preserves the authority of those in power.”
In her post, Sonakshi Sinha said, “20th July…bohot logon ki haddiyaan tooti aur ek Poore Desh ka dil toota. Yaad rakhna.”
Aditi Rao Hydari penned a lengthy note that read, “Whatever anyone’s political preferences may be, humanity must come above all. We must ensure a safe environment built on respect, dignity, and empathy for all our brave students, and for all the determined voices seeking to be heard, with a genuine commitment to constructive dialogue. Listening to one another is the foundation of meaningful progress. Our students are our future.”
Actress Revathy Asha on Tuesday expressed concern over the police action on protestors during the ‘Sansad Chalo’ march in Delhi, saying that ‘protectors unleashing violence’ on the ‘orders given by their seniors” reminded one of the ‘British violence during our freedom struggle.’
Taking to her Instagram page to pen her thoughts on the police action on protesting students, Revathy wrote, “#cjpprotest #cjp The protectors unleashing violence… orders given by their seniors!!! Reminds us of the British violence during our freedom struggle… the officers were British but the soldiers were Indian… they had to obey, else they would be punished! Today we are seeing a repeat but the difference is both the cops on the ground and their seniors are Indian!!!”
Television actress Devoleena Bhattacharjee took to her social media account, expressing concern that the movement is drifting away from its original purpose.
Extending support to climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, she also cautioned against what she described as a shift in the movement’s agenda.
She wrote, “This is the problem. The issue being discussed is one thing, but the agenda now seems to be something entirely different. Mr. Wangchuk @Wangchuk66, you have my wholehearted support for your cause. However, it appears that the movement is beginning to lose focus. And if the issue gets derailed, it will ultimately undermine the very purpose of your hunger strike. Sadly, that would be done by your own supporters.”
She added, “This is not Nepal, or any other country where external funding or support, combined with emotionally manipulating students in the name of their future, can be used to push a different agenda. In fact, pursuing that path will only weaken the original cause and may even cause it to lose public support”
