Cinema VinesOn Monday, rapper Hanumankind—known for tracks such as “Big Dawgs” and “Run It Up”—joined a crowd of students and activists in New Delhi’s Chalo Sansad march. The protest, aimed at urging the government to bring parliament back into session, drew thousands of participants waving Indian flags and chanting slogans. Hanumankind was photographed wearing a cricket jersey and a mask, blending in with the demonstrators as police began to deploy tear gas and lathi charges.
After witnessing the police’s forceful response, the artist posted a video on Instagram Stories that showed the escalating violence. In the caption he wrote, “There’s no justification for this kind of force being used against the people that showed up today. Believing we deserve better is not a crime.” He also shared a note that read, “I witnessed two very different demonstrations. One created by the people. One created by the response.” The footage and his comments quickly circulated among protest supporters on social media.
One of the protesters posted a separate clip of Hanumankind marching alongside them, adding a caption that praised the rapper’s willingness to stand up for social issues. The caption read: “@diljitdosanjh kuch sikho bhai, yeh hota hai real artist globally famous and big stepper jaise hit song dene ke baad bhi protest join Kiya. Artist ager social issues par nahi bolega to kon bolega?” The message implied that if an artist does not speak out, no one else will.
The post also referenced Punjabi singer Diljit Dosanjh, who had earlier said, “I am an artist. I am not a politician,” in response to questions about the Jantar Mantar protests. Following the police’s aggressive actions on Monday, Dosanjh replied on social media, saying: “Mere Te Already Anti Nationalist Da Tag Baut Vaar Lagg Chuka… Hun V Mainu Anti-nationalist Keha Jaega. After Kisan Protest… I faced a Lot of Backlash & Legal Problems which I can’t Even Discuss… BAKI RAB SAB DEKH REHA, BABA BHALLI KARU.” The singer’s remarks reflect his frustration at being labeled anti‑nationalist multiple times.
