Pooja Bedi supports anti-CEC protesters, urges citizens to speak up for democracy

Actor Pooja Bedi reacted to the ongoing nationwide anti-CEC (Chief Election Commissioner) protests, releasing a video statement to question the crackdown on demonstrators and call upon citizens to act as the "torch bearers for democracy."Sharing an Instagram video address alongside a detailed caption, Bedi criticised the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over the detention of young protesters and urged her followers to demand government accountability."Speaking up against the BJP is not anti-national because the BJP is not India and India is not the BJP," Bedi said in the video, adding "India existed before the BJP and India will exist after the BJP. What we need to question is a government we have reportedly elected to uphold our democracy. Where are our rights today? Who is the anti-national? If the BJP is arresting our protesters, the young kids on the streets from holding peaceful demonstrations, which is a democratic right that we all have, then who is anti-national?"Continuing her critique of the administrative response to the agitation, the actor questioned the treatment of demonstrators in comparison to criminal offenders. She added, "Are the people voicing their opinions, frustrations and demanding accountability from the government anti-nationals? Or is it the government who is turning around and oppressing their voices in the most tyrannical, suppressive way, is that the democracy we voted for? Is that the kind of country leadership we are looking at?"Bedi also highlighted the irony over protesters getting "five-day judicial custody for trespassing, while rapists and murderers get bail in a day."Directly appealing to citizens to overcome fear and hold authority accountable, Bedi questioned why people remain silent, asserting that expressing one's stance is a fundamental right in a democracy. She urged the public to consider whether they had voted for a democratic nation or a dictatorship, warning that citizens hold no rights under autocratic rule. "What is the India that you want to be proud of and take into the new era with our wonderful children being a part of this incredible India we keep talking about?" she said, challenging people to reflect on their role in the ongoing unrest.Concluding her statement, Bedi urged citizens to build awareness within their social circles regarding the ongoing unrest, emphasising that passive silence was no longer an option. Expanding on her appeal in a lengthy Instagram caption, the actor called on her followers to expose state excesses, writing: "In an oppressive regime that seeks to control your voice, your media, your feed, ... its time to be the torch bearer for your democracy...create awareness..... shine a torch on their brutality, lawlessness, high handedness and undemocratic actions...(sic)."Recently, actor Imran Khan participated in the anti-CEC protests in Mumbai. He was later sent a notice from Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) in Mumbai, directing him to leave India by October 28. The actor, who reportedly holds a US passport and an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card, received the notice after participating in a protest on October 10 demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.Director Kiran Rao also expressed support for Imran on her Instagram story and wrote, "43 years old. 40 of those years in India. Studied here, worked here, succeeded here, failed here, loved here and fought here (sic)."Organised by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), the ongoing demonstration called for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation over concerns surrounding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Actor Prakash Raj has been voicing his support for the protesters, while urging his fans to back the protests.- Ends