New Delhi, Veteran actor Shabana Azmi on Monday joined thousands of protestors in their march towards Parliament and said those participating in the protests were exercising their constitutional right to a peaceful demonstration.
Speaking to PTI Videos during the march, Azmi said the protesters had no intention of resorting to violence.
"We are here to hold a peaceful protest. This 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 75-year-old veteran said.
Thousands of protesters gathered near Parliament Street here on Monday and attempted to march towards Parliament as part of the Cockroach Janta Party's (CJP) "Chalo Sansad" protest, demanding accountability over alleged examination irregularities and the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
The agitation, which drew thousands of young demonstrators to central Delhi, gathered momentum following activist Sonam Wangchuk's hunger strike.
As the protesters tried to march towards Parliament, security personnel used tear gas and resorted to a baton charge to stop them.
Asked about the lack of support from Bollywood celebrities to the movement, Azmi said one should focus on the core issues rather than creating unnecessary controversy.
"You are only worried about the fact that Bollywood celebrities are not present at the March. You don't worry about the absence of industrialist and all the businessmen. When you ask these question, you are sidelining the cause and creating unnecessary controversy. You should support those who are marching for this cause, rather than diluting the matter," she said.
The CJP, led by its founder Abhijeet Dipke, has been protesting at Jantar Mantar since June 20, demanding Pradhan's resignation over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination and to demand reforms in the examination system and justice for the affected students.
On Sunday, Azmi visited Jantar Mantar to express solidarity with the agitation.
Addressing the protesters, Azmi said she and her husband, lyricist Javed Akhtar, had written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging the government to initiate a dialogue with the demonstrators.
"I wrote a letter to the Prime Minister. Javed saab also wrote a letter saying, 'Please just initiate a dialogue. We are not going to the press. We won't turn this into a public issue. As a former member of the Rajya Sabha, I'm making this request in that capacity. At least hear us out'," she said.
"At first, we received an acknowledgment saying that we would get a response within two days. But there was no reply in two days, nor in three, nor in four. So, on the fifth day, we came here ourselves," she added.
