Diljit Dosanjh backs students' protest, says ‘I may be called anti-national again’; several celebrities extend support too
PTC Web Desk: Actor-singer Diljit Dosanjh has extended his support to students participating in protests organised by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), urging the authorities to listen to their demands instead of ignoring their concerns.
Sharing a note on social media on Tuesday, Diljit said the treatment of students during the protest was "sad" and appealed for dialogue.
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In his post, Diljit said students should not have been treated the way they were during the protest. He urged the authorities to engage with them and consider their demands.
He added that the voice of the people should be respected and stressed that peaceful concerns deserve a fair hearing.
Diljit Dosanjh acknowledged that his latest statement could once again attract criticism. The singer said he had been labelled an "anti-national" on several occasions in the past and expected similar reactions this time as well.
The actor also recalled supporting farmers during the 2020 protest at Delhi's Singhu border, saying he faced severe criticism and legal challenges after speaking in favour of the agitation.
Apart from Diljit, several film personalities also voiced support for the students.
Comedian Vir Das questioned the silence of public figures, saying artists should not remain quiet when young people are raising concerns and later expect their support.
Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap criticised the handling of the protests and questioned the actions of police personnel deployed at the protest site.
Actors Riteish Deshmukh and Genelia Deshmukh released a joint statement expressing solidarity with the students. They said the youth are the strength of the country's democracy and their voices should be heard without fear.
Huma Qureshi expressed sadness over the reported use of force against peaceful protesters. She said the situation could have been handled with greater patience, dialogue and understanding.
Veteran actors Shabana Azmi and Prakash Raj were present at the protest site in Delhi and shared updates on social media.
Speaking to the media, Shabana Azmi claimed she witnessed police using force against protesters, including women students. She said the students were holding a peaceful demonstration and alleged that they were unfairly blamed for triggering the confrontation.
- With inputs from agencies
