Delhi CJP Protests: Malayalam actor Tovino Thomas and Vismaya Mohanlal, daughter of veteran actor Mohanlal, have publicly backed the ongoing CJP-led student protests in New Delhi, joining a growing list of public figures questioning the police response to demonstrators during the ‘Chalo Sansad’ march.
The reactions came a day after police action against protesters at and around Jantar Mantar sparked widespread debate on social media and drew criticism from several actors, filmmakers and activists. The protests are centred on demands for accountability over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination process and broader education reforms.
Delhi CJP Protests: Vismaya Mohanlal
Vismaya Mohanlal shared an Instagram Story reposting a message that questioned the use of force against protesters. Referring to reports of tear gas, lathi charges, road barricades, metro station closures and internet restrictions, the post argued that citizens need not agree with the protesters’ demands to question the state’s response.
The message warned that, “Tear gas. Lathi charges. Students injured. Roads blocked. Metro stations closed. Heavy barricading across the city. Internet suspension.” “You don’t have to agree with the protesters. You don’t have to support their demands. You don’t even have to like the organisations involved. But if the response to citizens raising their voices is overwhelming force instead of dialogue, every one of us should stop and ask what kind of democracy we are becoming.”
Vismaya added, “Because tomorrow, it could be you asking to be heard. Your city. Your neighbourhood. Your own family. My question to all of you is simple: Do you genuinely believe this is how a democracy should respond to its own citizens?”
Tovino Thomas Defends The Protestors
Tovino Thomas also issued a strongly worded statement expressing solidarity with peaceful protesters.
Calling the handling of the demonstration unacceptable, the actor questioned why force was used against students and emphasised that peaceful dissent remains a cornerstone of democracy. He wrote that “the right to dissent is not a threat to democracy; in fact it is one of its foundations.”
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“When the future generation of a nation speaks up, and their voices are met with repressive force, it is the future itself that is being stamped down. It is faith in democracy that is being drained away. What did these students do wrong? Did they destroy property? Did they resort to violence? What exactly did they do to deserve this treatment?” Tovino asked.
“To every person protesting for a just cause, peacefully, in any part of our country, I extend my wholehearted solidarity. The right to dissent is not a threat to democracy; in fact, it is one of its foundations. And to anyone about to question my sense of nationalism, I know myself better than you do. This goes beyond politics, religion, and every other form of division. My politics is humanity. My belief is in peace,” he concluded.
More Film Personalities Join The Criticism
The reactions were not limited to Tovino Thomas and Vismaya Mohanlal. Actors Parvathy Thiruvothu, Nimisha Sajayan, Darshana Rajendran, Rajesh Madhavan and several other Malayalam film personalities also used social media to highlight videos and images from the protest.
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Revathy Asha Kelunni expressed concerns about the education system’s shortcomings and the government’s response to the ongoing protests. “As a parent, I believe education shapes not just our children’s future, but the future of our nation. It’s important to pay attention to voices that raise concerns about the future of education. Whether we agree with every viewpoint or not, the future of our children deserves thoughtful dialogue,” she stated. Reports also noted support from actors including Shabana Azmi and Prakash Raj, who have spoken in favour of the students’ demands in recent days.
