Actor Prakash Raj joined the Cockroach Janata Party’s (CJP) ‘Chalo Sansad’ march in New Delhi on Monday, holding up the Constitution of India while addressing thousands of protesters demanding accountability over the alleged NEET paper leak and broader education reforms.
The march, organised on the opening day of the Monsoon Session of Parliament, witnessed heavy security deployment and clashes between protesters and police as demonstrators attempted to move towards Parliament.
Prakash Raj Waves Constitution During Protest
A video from the protest showed Prakash Raj addressing the crowd from a vehicle equipped with a loudspeaker as protesters raised slogans of “Inquilab Zindabad.”
Holding the Constitution of India aloft, the actor urged protesters to continue their movement peacefully. A portrait of freedom fighter Bhagat Singh was also displayed during the march, symbolising the protest’s call for justice and accountability.
Prakash Raj has consistently supported the CJP movement, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination process.
Celebrities Join CJP Protest
The protest has drawn support from several personalities from the film industry.
On Sunday, actors Shabana Azmi, Prakash Raj, and Poonam Pandey visited the protest site at Jantar Mantar to express solidarity with students and activists.
Shabana Azmi interacted with hunger-striking protesters and urged peaceful democratic participation, while Poonam Pandey said the movement was about safeguarding students’ futures rather than politics or religion.
On Monday morning, Prakash Raj and Shabana Azmi also participated in ending the fast of several student protesters who had been observing an indefinite hunger strike alongside activist Sonam Wangchuk.
Several other film personalities, including Hrithik Roshan, Sonakshi Sinha, and Chinmayi Sripaada, have publicly expressed support for Wangchuk and the ongoing movement through social media.
CJP Alleges Founder Detained
As the march progressed, the CJP alleged that its founder Abhijeet Dipke had been detained by Delhi Police.
In a statement shared on social media, CJP spokesperson Saurav Das appealed to Members of Parliament to support the students’ demands and criticised the reported use of force against protesters.
Earlier, activist Sonam Wangchuk had also been shifted from the protest site to Safdarjung Hospital, a move the organisation has repeatedly questioned.
Heavy Security During Parliament March
Thousands of students, professionals and activists assembled at Jantar Mantar before marching towards Parliament.
According to reports, police used baton charges and tear gas shells after sections of the crowd allegedly breached barricades erected across central Delhi.
Despite the restrictions, many protesters continued their march, reiterating demands for action over alleged examination irregularities and education reforms.
