Veteran actor: Shabana Azmi participated in the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) march at ‘Sansad Chalo’ on Monday, July 20, extending his support to the ongoing protest over the NEET paper leak controversy. A day earlier, he had reached Delhi’s Jantar Mantar to interact with students demanding the resignation of the Union Education Minister. Dharmendra Pradhan.The march was led by CJP leader Abhijeet Dipke and activist Sonam WangchukGitanjali’s wife Angmo, while Wangchuk remains on an indefinite hunger strike at Safdarjung Hospital after being forcibly removed from the protest site by the Delhi Police on Saturday.Many film personalities also expressed solidarity with the movement, urging that the demonstrations continue peacefully.Azmi, 75, walked with students and fellow protesters as they made their way to Parliament. Speaking to PTI, he said, “We are here to hold a peaceful protest. It is a right guaranteed by our Constitution. Mahatma Gandhi taught us the path of non-violence. We have no intention of resorting to violence.”The veteran actor also called on the media to focus on core issues rather than the presence or absence of celebrities in the protest. “You are only concerned about the fact that Bollywood celebrities are not present in the March. You should not be concerned about the loss of industrialists, all businessmen. If you ask these questions, you are sidelining the cause and creating unnecessary controversy. You should support those who are marching for this cause, instead of dissolving the matter,” he said to the media.In an interview with Red Mike, Azmi revealed that she and her husband are all lyricists Javed Akhtarwrote to the Prime Minister Narendra Modidemanding that the government initiate a dialogue with the protesters. “Maine jo hai, Pradhan Mantri ko khat likha. Javed saab ne khat likha ki dekhiye aap sirf ek dialogue initiate kariye, press ke paas hum nahi ja rahe. Hum isko ek public matter nahi banayenge, hum sirf Rajya Sabha ke ex-sansad hain, toh hum uss lihaazini se keh rahe. Pehle toh hume acknowledgment aaya ki 2 din main aapko jawab milega, 2 din main nahi aaya, 3 din main nahi aaya, 4 din main nahi aaya toh phir paanchwe din hum yahan aa gaye (I wrote a letter to the Prime Minister. Javed saab also wrote a letter saying, ‘Please just start a dialogue. We don’t go to the press. Let’s not make it a public issue. As a former member of the Rajya Sabha, I am making this request in that capacity. At least listen to us.’ At first, we received an acknowledgment saying that we would receive a response within two days. But there was no answer for two days, nor for three, nor for four. So, on the fifth day, we ourselves came here).Actors Kavita Kaushik, best known for her role as Chandramukhi Chautala in FIR, and Chak De! Indian actor Vidya Malavade also expressed support for the students and appealed to the authorities to allow peaceful demonstrations.Sharing a video on Instagram, Kavita addressed the Delhi Police with an emotional message. He said, “Delhi Police, I want to appeal to you. You all have families too—parents, children, siblings and relatives. God forbid, if they face a medical emergency, you want them to be treated by a real, competent doctor and not a fake one. That’s exactly why these students are protesting. So, whatever happens, please don’t raise your hand against my children or citizens.” Don’t hurt them. That’s all I have to say. Do not show your power in front of them.”Vidya Malavade, too, took to Instagram to express her concern over the situation. “It is heartbreaking to see what is happening in our country today. The way Sonam Wangchuk ji is being treated is not only disappointing but also scary.He added, “Isn’t it the right of every citizen to protest peacefully against evil? It is beyond comprehension how these young students were driven to take their own lives. These students deserve dialogue and justice, and I stand with them. Chak De India!”