Veteran actors Shabana Azmi , Naseeruddin Shah and singer and music composer Vishal Dadlani were among those who attended the Cockroach Janta Party ’s (CJP) protest at Mumbai’s Shivaji Park on Friday. Thousands of people gathered at the venue to demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, despite police denying permission for the protest. Members of student groups including the Students’ Federation of India (SFI) and All India Students’ Federation (AISF) joined the protest as well.
The presence of the three celebrities drew attention to the gathering. Shabana Azmi and Naseeruddin Shah were seen among the protesters, while Vishal had also voiced his support for the demonstration ahead of Friday’s event. Abhijeet Dipke shared the video of Naseeruddin hugging him. In the video shared by the CJP founder, the veteran actor is heard saying, “Main tumhje shukriya kehna chahta hoon. (I would like to thank you).
Shabana Azmi, who was also present during the protests in Delhi a few months ago amid NEET leak issue, said that protest is our right and people must protest when their names are removed from the electoral rolls.
CJP leader Abhijeet Dipke addressed the protesters and criticised the Narendra Modi-led central government. He also challenged Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to send the protesters to jail.
He said the group had been forced to organise another protest within two months of its earlier agitation at Jantar Mantar over the NEET leak issue. Police officials said they were monitoring the situation to maintain law and order and ensure that traffic in the area was not affected.
