Bollywood stars join Cockroach Janta Party protests for students

Bollywood stars join Cockroach Janta Party protests for students

A wave of Bollywood actors has joined nationwide student protests led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), focusing on examination paper leaks and the demand for a better educational system. The movement, which has escalated since the July 20 Chalo Sansad march in Delhi, has seen celebrities take to the streets in both Delhi and Mumbai.

On Wednesday night, actor Huma Qureshi and her brother, actor Saqib Saleem, arrived at the Jantar Mantar protest site in Delhi. In Mumbai, Imran Khan, nephew of Aamir Khan, joined a march alongside hundreds of students in the rain, where he was seen fist-bumping and taking pictures with fans.

The involvement of high-profile figures has been accompanied by reports of police crackdowns. Actor Ayesha Khan, known for her role in Shararat from Dhurandhar, reported being detained by Mumbai police on Wednesday. Ayesha Khan alleged via Instagram that she and her friends were dragged and pushed into a police van in Dadar and taken to Worli without accountability. In a video statement, she questioned, Sadak pe khade rehna kabse crime ho Gaya? and asserted that she stood for what was right.

Salman Khan also extended his support via X, describing the paper leak as a very serious issue. He expressed sadness that the movement had taken a violent turn, stating,

"It was such a peaceful movement, feel so sad that it had to take a violent turn. My heart goes out to the students and their families who were hurt."

The protests have caused significant disruption in the capital. On Thursday, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) closed 16 stations until further instructions due to security concerns as crowds swelled at Jantar Mantar. Closed stations included Rajiv Chowk, Central Secretariat, Mandi House, ITO, Khan Market, Lok Kalyan Marg, Patel Chowk, Ramakrishna Ashram Marg, Barakhamba Road, Supreme Court, Seva Teerth, Janpath, Delhi Gate, Indraprastha, Jor Bagh, and Shivaji Stadium. Interchange facilities remained available at Rajiv Chowk, Mandi House, and Central Secretariat.

Tensions between protesters and law enforcement have been high. Saket Gokhale, TMC national spokesperson and former MP, filed a complaint against Additional DCP Sandeep Lamba for the alleged assault of a woman protester on July 20. Gokhale alleged that over 90 people were injured that day, citing videos of unidentified uniformed men using nail-fitted lathis. Meanwhile, Additional Commissioner of Police Jai Prakash reported sustaining a minor fracture to his forehead after being struck by a stone thrown by demonstrators near Jantar Mantar.

In Mumbai, the Thackeray family has supported the movement. Raj Thackeray recently joined protesters at Shivaji Park, following joint press appearances by Amit and Aditya Thackeray. Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray were scheduled to hold a joint press conference on Thursday at 11 am. However, Mumbai Police reported that around 200 protesters were detained at Shivaji Park for gathering without permission, and 13 offences have been registered against approximately 400 accused since July 18.

Political reactions have sharpened. Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on Thursday that the government will establish fast-track courts to ensure the swift punishment of those involved in paper leaks, stating that nothing is more important than the welfare and future of our country’s youth.

The Congress party rejected this move as insufficient. Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi accused the Prime Minister of allowing the total capture and destruction of the education system. Along with other leaders, Gandhi reiterated three primary demands:

• The sacking of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
• An apology to the students.
• Action against those who assaulted protesters.

CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke has declared the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan as non-negotiable, comparing the agitation to the farmers' protest and vowing it will not end until the minister is removed. Dipke also alleged that BJP-backed individuals were brought in by trucks to pelt stones and defame the protesters.

Parallel to the urban protests, the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi, led by Prakash Ambedkar, called for a Maharashtra bandh on Thursday, July 23, in solidarity with the students. The bandh received support from the Congress and various Left outfits, with planned protests in areas including Kurla, CST, Bhandup, Anushakti Nagar, Vikhroli, Chembur, and Bandra.

As the situation remains fluid, the government continues to manage the hunger strike of activist Sonam Wangchuk. While Union Minister J.P. Nadda stated the Centre has urged Wangchuk to end his fast and is open to discussions in Parliament, CJP leadership has insisted that any further government talks take place only at Jantar Mantar.