Veteran actress Shabana Azmi fell ill during the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest at Delhi's Jantar Mantar on Monday. A video that has gone viral on social media shows the 75-year-old actress in a semi-conscious state, with people supporting her as they escorted her towards a security cabin.
In the video, students can be heard asking security personnel to open the gate, telling them that it was Shabana Azmi. The gate was then opened, allowing the actress to sit near the security cabin.
Azmi had visited Jantar Mantar on Sunday, where she met CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke and others who were on a hunger strike. Videos of her visit had also gone viral on social media.
Speaking to PTI on Monday, Azmi said they had gathered to hold a peaceful protest and exercise the rights guaranteed under the Constitution. She said Mahatma Gandhi had taught people how to protest peacefully and stressed that the protesters had no intention of resorting to violence.
When asked why more Bollywood celebrities were not joining the protest, Azmi replied, "Why is the same question not asked to industrialists or businesspeople?" She added that such questions divert attention from the real issue.
Apart from Azmi, celebrities including Swara Bhaskar, Prakash Raj and Poonam Pandey visited Jantar Mantar to support the CJP protest. Actor Sonakshi Sinha also extended her support on social media.
Meanwhile, BJP MP Hema Malini reacted to the protests after attending the first day of the Monsoon Session of Parliament in New Delhi. Speaking to ANI, she said that protests in such a manner would not achieve anything.
"Agar kuch problem hain toh achchi tarah se discuss karni chahiye. Instead of aise protest karne se toh koi kaam nahi hoga. Aur agar desh ke jitne yuva hain, education system hain, iske liye hamari Modi sarkaar humesha saath rahi hai. Bohot kaam kiya hai uske liye," she said.
She further added, "Abhi ye joh aap protest kar rahe hain iska koi matlab hi nahi hai. Itna hi main kahungi, baat karke solve karna chahiye. Chaatron ko aap involve karte hain, bicharo ko gumraah nahi karna chahiye. Barabar batana chahiye kya problem hai. They should be happy to do something good."
Hema Malini, however, declined to comment on the protesters' demand seeking the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Her remarks came as thousands of protesters gathered near Parliament Street and attempted to march towards Parliament, demanding accountability over the alleged examination irregularities and the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan. The protesters were later stopped by security personnel, who resorted to baton-charge to disperse the crowd.
Meanwhile, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke ended his indefinite hunger strike on Monday at the request of activist Sonam Wangchuk, who is currently admitted to Safdarjung Hospital. Dipke had begun the fast after Wangchuk was hospitalised on July 18, when his own 21-day hunger strike required medical intervention.
