Mahhi Vij reacts to reported clashes during CJP protest march, says ‘Violence is never the answer’

Mumbai: Television actress Mahhi Vij has voiced concern over the reported use of force against young protesters during the Cockroach Janta Party's (CJP) 'Chalo Sansad' march, saying violence against students can never be justified in a democracy.

Sharing an emotional note on Instagram, the Laagi Tujhse Lagan actress said differences over protests or political views should never result in young people being harmed. She stressed the need for dialogue, empathy and respect for the democratic right to express dissent.

"My heart aches and I feel completely broken seeing young kids being beaten so brutally. This is not what anyone was asking for," Mahhi wrote, adding that the issue was not about which side people supported, but about the reported violence against students.

She said questions about who organised the protest, who created chaos or whether the demonstrations were handled appropriately could be debated, but argued that using force against young protesters was not the solution.

"Is beating up kids, breaking their heads and using violence against them the answer? Is this what democracy has come to?" she asked, adding that democracy guarantees the right to speak, question, protest and be heard.

Mahhi also highlighted the emotional toll on families, saying the protesters were "somebody's sons and daughters" whose loved ones would be worried about their safety. While people may disagree with a protest or its methods, she said, society should never lose its sense of humanity.

"No child deserves to be beaten. No parent should have to watch their child being hurt. And no country should ever make violence against its own young people look normal. This is not what we were asking for. We were asking to be heard," she concluded.

The CJP's 'Chalo Sansad' march towards Parliament reportedly witnessed clashes after police stopped demonstrators from moving ahead. According to reports, security personnel used tear gas and batons to disperse the crowd, and several students were detained.

The protest was organised over alleged irregularities in the NEET medical entrance examination and included demands for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The march also coincided with activist Sonam Wangchuk's indefinite hunger strike, during which he was shifted to Safdarjung Hospital by the Delhi Police.

Note: The claims regarding the use of force during the protest are based on reports and statements made by those involved. Authorities may have a different account of the events.

With inputs from IANS