Cinema VinesOn Monday, July 20, veteran Bollywood actress Shabana Azmi joined the Cockroach Janata Party’s (CJP) protest march in Delhi, standing beside activists who have been demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan since June 6. The march, which began at Jantar Mantar, was a continuation of the party’s peaceful demonstration against alleged examination irregularities and for broader education reforms.
During the march, Azmi was asked by reporters why other Bollywood stars were not present. She responded sharply, saying that the focus should remain on the cause rather than on celebrity attendance. “You are only worried about the fact that Bollywood celebrities are not present at the March,” she told PTI. “You don’t worry about the absence of industrialists, all the businessmen. When you ask these questions, you are sidelining the cause and creating unnecessary controversy. You should support those who are marching for this cause, rather than diluting the matter.”
Azmi had already shown solidarity with the protesters the day before, when she joined a hunger strike at Jantar Mantar. Speaking to the gathering, she emphasized the importance of students’ demands and urged authorities to engage in dialogue instead of confrontation. “I have come here because I believe the concerns being raised by the students are important,” she said. “In a democracy, people have the right to raise their voice peacefully.”
The CJP’s protest has drawn attention from other public figures, including climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who began an indefinite hunger strike to press for education reforms. After 22 days of a peaceful hunger strike, Wangchuk was forcefully moved to Safdarjung Hospital on Saturday, prompting the CJP to announce a “Chalo Sansad” march to Parliament the following day. Other celebrities such as Sonakshi Sinha, Dia Mirza, and Zeenat Aman have also voiced support for the protestors on social media.
Azmi’s participation, along with that of fellow actor Prakash Raj, underscores a growing trend of Bollywood personalities taking a stand on social and political issues. While many celebrities have chosen silence, those who speak out are using their platforms to highlight the protest’s objectives and to call for a constructive response from the government.
