Cinema VinesOn July 22, 2024, Mumbai police detained Dhurandhar actress Ayesha Khan while she attempted to join a nationwide student protest over the NEET paper leak scandal. The demonstration, led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and activist Sonam Wangchuk, had already sparked a month‑long protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar and a “Sansad Chalo” march that day, prompting police to use lathi charges and tear gas. Khan was forcibly escorted into a police van and taken to Worli Police Station, where she later posted videos alleging she had been taken into custody without raising any slogans.
The following day, Khan shared a clip from inside the police van and the station on Instagram, expressing her shock and asking officers why she was being detained. She described the experience as “visibly shaken” and highlighted that she had simply stood on the road. Her post drew attention from the entertainment industry, with several prominent figures publicly supporting the student movement.
A week after the incident, as the protests began to subside, the CJP’s official Instagram account praised Khan for her courage and solidarity with the students. The party’s comment read: “Thank you Ayesha for standing with students and supporting their voice. Your courage and commitment to their cause show the importance of standing up for justice and education.”
Khan, who rose to fame with her appearance in the song “Shararat” from Dhurandhar, has been vocal about her stance. In a separate Instagram story, she shared a workout video, continuing to express her support for the student movement and her willingness to stand up for justice and education reforms.
While the police action against Khan and other protesters has been criticized, the CJP’s endorsement of her actions underscores the growing solidarity between the entertainment community and the student activists demanding educational reforms in India.
