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Actor Prakash Raj on Monday joined the Cockroach Janata Party's (CJP) 'Chalo Sansad' march in New Delhi, extending his support to the protest over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination. Waving a copy of the Indian Constitution, the actor addressed demonstrators as the march moved towards Parliament on the opening day of the Monsoon Session.
Speaking at the protest, Raj said he was not afraid of speaking the truth and questioned why people should fear standing up for what they believe in. "I don't want to die before I die," he said, adding that while many in the film industry choose to remain silent, he believes it is important to raise one's voice when students are seeking justice.
The actor has been one of the most prominent celebrity supporters of the agitation led by Sonam Wangchuk and the CJP. He has repeatedly demanded accountability over the alleged NEET paper irregularities and called for Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation.
A day earlier, Raj joined actors Shabana Azmi and Poonam Pandey at Jantar Mantar, where students, activists and supporters had gathered in solidarity with Wangchuk's movement. Videos from the venue showed Raj addressing the crowd from the stage as protesters raised slogans. In another moment, Shabana was seen kissing the hand of a student who had been on an indefinite hunger strike, while Poonam said the protest was about safeguarding students' futures rather than politics or religion.
On Monday morning, Raj and Shabana were present as students observing an indefinite fast alongside Wangchuk ended their hunger strike. Several members of the film fraternity, including Hrithik Roshan, Sonakshi Sinha, Omi Vaidya, Dia Mirza, Seema Pahwa and Chinmayi Sripaada, have also voiced their support for Wangchuk in recent days.
As the march progressed towards Parliament, the CJP alleged that its founder, Abhijeet Dipke, had been detained by the police. The organisation also claimed that security personnel used force against peaceful protesters. The allegations came days after Wangchuk was removed from the protest site by the police and admitted to hospital following concerns over his health.
Thousands of students, activists and professionals participated in the march through central Delhi. According to the news agency PTI, police used tear gas shells and baton charges after protesters crossed barricades erected near Parliament. Despite the police action, demonstrators continued their march, insisting they would not back down until their demands for accountability and examination reforms were addressed.
Prakash Raj remained one of the most visible faces of the protest throughout the two-day demonstration, reiterating his support for the students and urging people not to stay silent in the face of injustice. His participation, alongside several other public figures, added further visibility to a movement that has continued to gather momentum over the alleged irregularities in the NEET examination.
