Actor Prakash Raj joined climate activist Sonam Wangchuk and Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijit Dipke at a protest in Bengaluru over the NEET paper leak and concerns related to CBSE’s on-screen marking system.
The demonstration was held at Freedom Park despite heavy rain and was part of a nationwide campaign launched by the CJP. The organisation has also called for a large protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on June 20.
Addressing the gathering, Prakash Raj said those raising their voices on public issues should not be intimidated by being labelled anti-national or traitors.
“You can call us Pakistani or traitors to intimidate us and suppress our voice, but we are not the ones to get scared,” he said.
The actor also criticised political leaders and said young people should fight for their own future.
“The elected leaders should do their jobs. Why have you changed the equation? You are doing politics, we are supposed to do jobs. No! Youth of this country has decided to fight their fight,” he said.
Prakash Raj further said that the younger generation should have a bigger role in shaping the country’s future.
“Youth of this country is Dalit. Uncles and aunties, you are ruling this country after retirement age. Go away. We the youngsters are fighting for our future. These youngsters are fighting for their dreams,” he added.
The Bengaluru event was the latest in a series of protests being organised across the country by the CJP. The group has been demanding accountability over the NEET paper leak, concerns about CBSE’s digital evaluation process, and other issues related to the examination system.
Earlier, CJP founder Abhijit Dipke had said in Lucknow that the protests would continue until Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigns. He also appealed to students to participate peacefully in the June 20 protest at Jantar Mantar.
The Bengaluru protest took place even as Prakash Raj is facing separate allegations in a petition before the Karnataka High Court in connection with the Dharmasthala mass burial controversy.
