A veteran player Shabana Azmi joined the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) for ‘Sansad Chalo’ on Monday, July 20, and supported the ongoing protests over the controversy over the release of NEET papers. A day earlier, he had arrived at Jantar Mantar in Delhi to stand with students demanding the resignation of the Education Minister. Dharmendra Pradhan.The march is led by CJP leader Abhijeet Dipke and freedom activist Sonam WangchukGitanjali’s wife Angmo, while Wangchuk is still on the verge of starvation at Safdarjung Hospital after being forcibly removed by Delhi police on Saturday.Several film personalities have also expressed their solidarity with the group, urging that the protests continue peacefully.Azmi, 75, walked alongside students and protesters as he made his way to Parliament. Speaking to PTI, he said, “We have come to hold a peaceful protest. This is a right guaranteed by our Constitution. Mahatma Gandhi he taught us the way of non-violence. We don’t want to do violence.”The expert also asked the media to focus on what is important and not the presence or absence of celebrities at the show. “You are only complaining because Bollywood celebrities are not present on the march. You are not complaining about the lack of industrialists, all businessmen. When you ask these questions, you put aside the cause and cause unnecessary conflicts. You should help those who are marching because of this, instead of confusing the issue,” he told the press.Speaking to Red Mike, Azmi revealed that she and her husband are musicians Javed Akhtarhe wrote to the prime minister Narendra ModiI request that the government start negotiating with the protestors. “Maine jo hai, Pradhan Mantri ko khat likha. Javed saab ne khat likha ki dekhiye aap sirf ek dialogue initiate kariye, press ke paas hum nahi ja rahe. Hum isko ek public matter nahi banayenge, hum sirf Rajya Sabha ke ex-sansad hain, toh hum ke paas hum nahi ja rahe. Pehle toh hume acknowledgment aaya ki 2 din main aapko jawab milega, 2 din main nahi aaya, 3 din main nahi aaya, 4 din main nahi aaya toh phir paanchwe din hum yahan aa gaye (I wrote a letter to the Prime Minister. Javed saab also wrote a letter saying, ‘Please start a dialogue. We are not going to the press. We do not turn this into public news. As a former member of the Rajya Sabha, I request this. Listen to us.’ At first, we received an acknowledgment that we would get a response in two days. But there was no answer for two, or three, or four days. So, on the fifth day, we came here by ourselves).Starring Kavita Kaushik, best known for her role as Chandramukhi Chautala in FIR, and Chak De! Indian actress Vidya Malavade also encouraged the students and appealed to the authorities to allow peaceful protests.Sharing a video on Instagram, Kavita addressed the Delhi Police with an emotional message. He said, “Delhi Police, I want to ask you. You all have families – parents, children, brothers and relatives. God forbid, if they face a medical problem, you would want them to be treated by a real, knowledgeable doctor and not a fake one. That’s why these students are protesting. So, whatever happens, please don’t raise your hand against my children or citizens.” Don’t hurt them. That’s all I have to say. do not show your strength in front of them.Vidya Malavade, too, took to Instagram to express her concerns. “It is sad to see what is happening in our country right now. The way Sonam Wangchuk ji was treated is not only disappointing but also very scary. But the respect and grace that Gitanjali mother shows is the real foundation on which this great country is built,” he wrote.He added, “Isn’t it the birth of every citizen to protest peacefully so they don’t do wrong? It’s incomprehensible how these young students have been driven to kill themselves. These students deserve a dialogue and justice, and I stand for it. Chak De India!”
