Actor Huma Qureshi has come out in support of the protest organised by the Cockroach Janta Party, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the revision of electoral rolls.
As protesters were detained in Delhi and Mumbai, the actor emphasised their right to peaceful demonstration and the need for accountability.
Taking to social media, she wrote, “We are the world’s largest democracy. The right to peaceful protest and the demand for accountability are fundamental democratic rights, not favours granted by those in power. Peaceful dissent is not a crime. Asking questions is not a crime. Demanding accountability is not a crime. A democracy must allow its citizens to raise their voices without fear of intimidation or harassment. Suppressing peaceful protest undermines the very values we claim to uphold.”
“Let me be clear: I stand with no political party or individual. I stand with citizens demanding accountability, with peaceful protesters, and with every Indian exercising their democratic right to dissent. My love for this country is precisely why I cannot remain silent.
I know speaking up may invite abuse, personal attacks, scrutiny of my finances, or professional consequences. So be it. I have nothing to hide, nothing to apologise for, and no need to prove my patriotism.”
Aamir Khan’s nephew Imran Khan, along with girlfriend Lekha Washington and sister Zayn Marie Khan, was detained while joining the protesters in Mumbai. They were released soon after. Zayn later shared images of injury marks she had sustained.
Actor Vijay Varma also weighed in, taking a dig at the Chief Election Commissioner and mocking him as the face of “free and fair elections”. A tagline on the image read, “Saving Private Gyan”, a reference to the Hollywood war film Saving Private Ryan starring Tom Hanks.
While actors such as Dia Mirza and filmmaker Anurag Kashyap have expressed solidarity, much of the film industry, particularly its top brass, has remained conspicuously silent.
“You really can’t expect them to take a stand. Many are clear about their political leanings, while the rest prefer to remain quiet, fearing repercussions. In Bollywood, actors may have their political preferences, but they rarely have the courage to openly express them or stand up for what they believe in. There is a tendency to stay on the sidelines rather than risk professional consequences by taking a public stand,” said an actor on condition of anonymity.
Highlight: While actors such as Dia Mirza and filmmaker Anurag Kashyap have expressed solidarity, much of the film industry, particularly its top brass, has remained conspicuously silent.
Taking to Instagram, actor Vijay Varma also shared an image mocking the Chief Election Commissioner as the face of “free and fair elections”
Right to peaceful protest is a fundamental right, not favours granted by those in power. Peaceful dissent is not a crime. Asking questions is not a crime.
Huma Qureshi
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