Deepika Padukone Visits JNU, Joins Protest In Solidarity With Students

Bollywood actor Deepika Padukone joined protests at the Jawaharlal Nehru University on Tuesday evening, two days after a violent, masked mob armed with stones and sticks beat up students and teachers on the campus.

The actor was spotted standing with students at Sabarmati T-point, where a public meeting was called by the alumni of JNU over Sunday's violence in the varsity.

She also met JNUSU President Aishe Ghosh who was injured in the violence. Padukone did not address the meeting and left after an hour.

The 34-year-old actor, who is in the capital to promote her upcoming release "Chhapaak", had earlier said it is necessary for people to express their point of view to bring about change.

"I feel proud to see that we aren't scared to express ourselves... I think the fact that we are thinking about the country and its future.... Whatever may be our point of view, it's nice to see," Deepika told NDTV India on Monday night.

"I feel proud about it that people are coming out -- be it on the streets or wherever they are -- they are raising their voice and expressing themselves as it is important. If we want to see change in life and society, it is important that a point of view be put forward," she said.

On Monday night, a slew of Bollywood celebrities such as directors Vishal Bhardwaj, Anurag Kashyap, Zoya Akhtar and actors Taapsee Pannu and Richa Chadha
turned up at Carter Road in Mumbai in solidarity with those protesting against the violence at the JNU.

In a peaceful gathering of hundreds, the film fraternity was at the forefront with prominent personalities, including actors Swara Bhasker, Dia Mirza and Ali Fazal as well as Sudhir Mishra, Anubhav Sinha, Rahul Dholakia and Neeraj Ghaywan.

(With agency inputs)