Watch: Shabana Azmi joins CJP’s ‘Chalo Sansad’ march, greets protesters | Today’s news
Veteran actor Shabana Azmi joined the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) ‘Chalo Sansad’ march in Delhi on Monday and shared videos of the protest where thousands of protesters gathered at Jantar Mantar and attempted to march towards Parliament.
Shabana Azmi joins CJP Chalo Sansad’s protest
Azmi, 75, supported the agitation before the march and joined the protesters as the monsoon session of Parliament began. The actor described the demonstration as an exercise of citizens’ constitutional right to peaceful protest, while the CJP demanded accountability for alleged irregularities in the investigation and called for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
In a video shared on Monday night, Azmi was seen pushing her way through the crowd and getting help from other protesters as she tried to get to the demonstration. She also appeared to record herself from the protest site saying, “Mai yahan pahunch gayi hoon (I have reached here).”
She shared the video and wrote in Hindi, “Yahan itni taaydad mein jama huye sabhi saathiyon ko naman (Greetings to all comrades who have gathered here in such large numbers).
In another photo shared from the site, Azmi was seen sitting among the protesters alongside actor-turned-politician Prakash Raj. She captioned the image: “In a truck. Govt finally agreed to dialogue. It’s a peaceful protest at Jantar Mantar for educational reforms (sic).”
Azmi attended a day after she visited the CJP’s protest at Jantar Mantar ahead of the planned march. Prakash Raj also joined the agitation, while other prominent figures including AAP leaders, actor Swara Bhasker and comedian Kunal Kamra were among those who expressed support for the protest.
The situation escalated on Monday when thousands of protesters tried to move from Jantar Mantar towards Parliament. Delhi Police did not grant permission for the march, and bans were in place in the New Delhi district, restricting marches, processions and gatherings outside the designated protest site. Police and Rapid Action Force personnel have been deployed in large numbers around Jantar Mantar, Parliament Street and other heavily guarded areas.
Reports said that the police used lathis to disperse the protesters who were trying to advance towards Parliament. The march also led to heightened security measures in central Delhi, including restrictions and closures affecting public movement in key areas. Thousands of students, parents and other supporters continued to gather despite a heavy security presence and efforts by the authorities to prevent the procession from reaching parliament.
The CJP’s protest was also linked to wider concerns over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination and wider demands for reforms in the education system. The organization asked the authorities for responsibility and called on the Minister of Education to resign. The mobilization received support from opposition politicians, student groups and public figures, increasing the visibility of the agitation as Parliament began its monsoon session.
Azmi’s presence at the protest added extra attention to the demonstration. Her posts from the ground showed her moving through the packed gathering and appreciating the protesters who had gathered in large numbers. Her participation, along with Prakash Raj and other public figures, came as the CJP-led agitation entered a more confrontational phase with the proposed parliamentary march.
The march was eventually met with heavy police deployment and efforts to prevent protesters from advancing beyond the permitted demonstration area, with reports of clashes and lathi-charges as the crowd attempted to move towards Parliament.
