Several Bollywood celebrities have come out in support of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest, criticising the alleged police action against student demonstrators in Delhi and urging authorities to address their concerns through dialogue.
Punjabi singer and actor Diljit Dosanjh slammed the conduct of the students’ protest, stating that they should not be treated in this way. The incident was described by him as ‘sad’, and he appealed for the government to heed the voice of the youth in an Instagram post.
The criticism he received during the farmers’ protest leaves him hoping that he will not be called “anti-national” again for voicing his opinions.
Actor duo Riteish Deshmukh and Genelia D’Souza too backed them up, saying the voices of the young cannot be silenced, “loud, clear and without fear. I felt students were the pulse of democracy and the future builders of India.”
Actor Huma Qureshi said, “I will never forget the pictures of peaceful protesters getting beaten with lathis,” and decries the violence and killings of protestors by the police.
Screenwriter Sutapa Sikdar said that many students were on a flight of expectation for some accountability and wanted to be heard.
Actor Sonakshi Sinha also praised the young protesters of CJP for their keenness and enthusiasm to raise their voice, adding that they must go forward keeping in mind that their demonstrations remain peaceful. Show support from the film industry is coming as students continue to protest education reforms and accountability for so-called exam cheating.