CJP vs Delhi Police Day 2: TV actor Sehban Azim injured in lathi-charge; Rajkummar Rao stands with students

The ongoing protest in Delhi, known as the students' protest, is being held in support of NEET aspirants over the alleged paper leak, as well as in memory of the person who allegedly died by suicide following the controversy.

The 20-day fast by Sonam Wangchuk at Jantar Mantar led to Delhi Police taking him to a hospital. After a medical examination, he was shifted to a private hospital as per the directions of the Delhi High Court.

On July 20, the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) protesters marched towards Parliament while the Monsoon Session was underway. Police and RAF personnel repeatedly alerted the protesters and students not to march towards Parliament and made several announcements, as they had not been granted permission to protest there. Despite this, the protesters rushed towards Parliament.

Amid the chaos, there was stone pelting, vandalism, police lathi-charge and tear gas shelling. Police personnel, protesters and students were injured. While CJP founder Abhijit Dipke was away, Saurav Dad and Ranka went to meet JP Nadda. Vijeta, who has now been sacked by CJP, was seen enjoying a burger while students were at the forefront facing the Delhi Police action.

The unrest did not stop there. On July 21, some protesters were seen carrying swords and allegedly attacking RAF personnel. Over the two days, protesters allegedly vandalised bus stops, assaulted auto drivers, damaged public property and police vans, abused the Indian Army, raised slogans threatening Prime Minister Narendra Modi, grabbed police personnel by their collars, and engaged in several other acts of violence.

A number of celebrities have come out in support of the students and raised concerns over the alleged NEET paper leak. Social media, however, has been divided based on personal political views. While one section criticised the Delhi Police for the lathi-charge on students, another argued that demanding resignations would not solve the paper leak issue. Some claimed the paper leak was no longer the main issue and that the protests had taken a political turn, urging students to stay away.

Several celebrities have visited the Jantar Mantar protest site and shared their views.

Television actor Sehban Azim, known for shows like Dill Mill Gayye, Thapki Pyar Ki, Bepannaah and Tujhse Hai Raabta, participated in the Cockroach Janata Party's (CJP) student protest at Delhi's Jantar Mantar on Monday. The actor claimed he sustained injuries during the police lathi-charge while trying to shield his two female friends from Mumbai.

Speaking to Mid-Day, the actor said, "It was an extremely heartbreaking sight to witness. I went for the protest to support the students, and my two female friends from Mumbai had also come. I got hit while I was saving them from the lathi-charge. My hand has swollen. They hit me multiple times on my arm and legs."

He further alleged that protesters were stopped before they could reach the designated protest site at Jantar Mantar. According to Sehban, the police had barricaded the area from all sides, trapping him and other demonstrators before resorting to a lathi-charge. He claimed they were not allowed to enter the protest venue and alleged that the police "weren't even bothered about who they were hitting, whether young children or women."

Television actress Devoleena Bhattacharjee also took to social media to share her views amid the ongoing protests in Delhi over the alleged NEET paper leak. She questioned the role of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) in the demonstrations, claiming that what began as a students' protest had now turned into a political movement, with several groups trying to further their own agendas.

Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Devoleena wrote, "What is this CJP protest? Who is CJP? This started as a student protest for education, to protect the education system. Bringing back Article 370, Umar Khalid, Ram-Sita and other political issues—what kind of education protest is this?"

She further added, "Don't make fools of yourselves because these cunning people will use you and discard you without a second thought."

Devoleena went on to say that while everyone has the right to protest against flaws in the education system, she believes the movement has now drifted away from its original purpose.

She wrote, "Everyone has the right to fight against the education system and everyone supports that. But right now, the issue has lost its direction because some people are busy building their political careers while preparing to destroy your future."

Taking another swipe at CJP, the actress wrote, "One of them was seen eating a burger. That tells you the truth. First get rid of the pests, then fight for the real issue."

Devoleena Bhattacharjee is one of television's most recognisable faces and rose to nationwide fame with her portrayal of Gopi Bahu in Saath Nibhaana Saathiya. Over the years, she has appeared in shows such as Laal Ishq, Swaran Ghar and Dil Diyaan Gallaan, along with reality shows including Bigg Boss 13, Bigg Boss 14 and Bigg Boss 15. Apart from acting, she frequently makes headlines for expressing her views on social and political issues.

Actor Rajkummar Rao also reacted to the ongoing CJP student protests in Delhi, urging both students and authorities to choose dialogue over confrontation. In a statement shared on social media, the Stree actor stressed the importance of listening to young people while calling for peace, compassion and fair education.

Reflecting on the protests, Rajkummar wrote on July 22, "When young people feel unheard, it is a reminder that society must listen. Every voice deserves to be heard with dignity, fairness and respect."

While expressing support for students' right to voice their concerns, Rao also appealed for calm and non-violence.

"At the same time, peace must remain our greatest strength. Violence, from any side, only deepens wounds and takes us further away from meaningful solutions. This is a moment for dialogue and compassion," he said.

Rajkummar urged students to express themselves responsibly and appealed to the authorities to engage with them empathetically.

"Real and lasting change is built through conversation, not confrontation. That is what is needed now more than ever," he added.

Rajkummar's statement comes amid the ongoing CJP-led student protests in Delhi, where demonstrators have been demanding accountability over alleged irregularities in education-related matters.

Suryakumar Yadav's wife, Devisha Shetty, has also been trending on social media after her recent Instagram Stories regarding the ongoing student protests in Delhi went viral. On Tuesday, Devisha reshared posts from multiple accounts related to the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) protests held on Monday.

In one of the posts, she criticised the violence that broke out during CJP's "March to Parliament" protest and called it "breaking the law."

Notably, the story was a continuation of an earlier post that read:

"Criticise the government, question the Prime Minister, protest against policies, campaign against the ruling party and vote them out. That's democracy."

However, her next story, which criticised the violence during the protest, attracted widespread attention. Many users who opposed the CJP protests supported her views.

One user on X wrote, "Massive respect for Suryakumar Yadav's wife, Devisha Shetty. Kannadigas have always stood against anti-national activities."

Another wrote, "Deep down, everyone knows the reality of this protest. That's why no cricketer or major celebrity is supporting the CJP protest. They are defaming Hinduism and damaging public property in the name of protest."

A third user posted, "I totally agree with Devisha Shetty, except on one point—'including you.' These professional protesters don't pay taxes; they survive on subsidies and freebies."

Meanwhile, Opposition parties, including the Congress and Samajwadi Party, protested outside Prime Minister Narendra Modi's residence at Lok Kalyan Marg on Tuesday. They were later detained by the Delhi Police.