Watch: Shabana Azmi joins CJP’s ‘Chalo Sansad’ march, salutes protesters

Veteran actor Shabana Azmi joined the Cockroach Janata Party’s (CJP) ‘Chalo Sansad’ march in Delhi on Monday and shared videos from the protest, as thousands of demonstrators gathered at Jantar Mantar and attempted to march towards Parliament.

Shabana Azmi joins CJP's Chalo Sansad protest

Azmi, 75, had backed the agitation ahead of the march and joined protesters as the Monsoon Session of Parliament began. The actor has described the demonstration as an exercise of citizens’ constitutional right to peaceful protest, while the CJP has been demanding accountability over alleged examination irregularities and calling for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

In a video shared on Monday evening, Azmi was seen making her way through the crowd and receiving help from fellow protesters as she attempted to reach the demonstration. She also appeared to record herself from the protest site, saying, "Mai yahan pahunch gayi hoon (I have reached here)."

Sharing the video, she wrote in Hindi, “Yahan itni taaydad mein jama huye sabhi saathiyon ko naman (My greetings to all the comrades gathered here in such large numbers).”

In another photograph shared from the site, Azmi was seen sitting among protesters alongside actor-turned-politician Prakash Raj. She captioned the image: "In the truck. The government has finally agreed to have a dialogue. It is a peaceful protest at Jantar Mantar for educational reforms (sic)."

Azmi’s participation came a day after she visited the CJP protest at Jantar Mantar ahead of the planned march. Prakash Raj also joined the agitation, while other prominent figures, including AAP leaders, actor Swara Bhasker and comedian Kunal Kamra, were among those who expressed support for the protest.

The situation escalated on Monday as thousands of protesters attempted to move from Jantar Mantar towards Parliament. Delhi Police had not granted permission for the march and prohibitory orders were in force in the New Delhi district, restricting marches, processions and assemblies outside the designated protest site. Police and Rapid Action Force personnel were deployed in large numbers around Jantar Mantar, Parliament Street and other high-security areas.

Reports said police used lathis to disperse protesters who attempted to proceed towards Parliament. The march also led to heightened security measures in central Delhi, including restrictions and closures affecting public movement around key areas. Thousands of students, parents and other supporters continued to gather despite the heavy security presence and the authorities’ efforts to prevent the procession from reaching Parliament.

The CJP’s protest has also been linked to wider concerns over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination and broader demands for reforms in the education system. The organisation has sought accountability from authorities and called for the Education Minister’s resignation. The mobilisation has drawn support from opposition politicians, student groups and public figures, increasing the visibility of the agitation as Parliament began its Monsoon Session.

Azmi’s presence at the protest added further attention to the demonstration. Her posts from the ground showed her moving through the packed gathering and acknowledging the protesters who had assembled in large numbers. Her participation, alongside that of Prakash Raj and other public figures, came as the CJP-led agitation entered a more confrontational phase with the proposed Parliament march.

The march was ultimately met by heavy police deployment and efforts to prevent protesters from advancing beyond the permitted demonstration area, with reports of clashes and lathi-charge as the crowd attempted to move towards Parliament.