Huma Qureshi Opens Up About the Lathi Charge at the CJP Protest in Jantar Mantar

When the police moved in with lathis at Jantar Mantar on Thursday, the scene was chaotic, noisy and, for many onlookers, downright heartbreaking. Among those watching was Bollywood actress Huma Qureshi, who didn’t just stand on the sidelines – she spoke out, and her words echoed the frustration of countless on‑lookers.

"Seeing protestors being met with such brute force left me with a deep sense of sadness," Huma said in an interview that was later shared on her social‑media handles. "I know the importance of the cause, and I respect the right to peaceful protest. When you see people being beaten with lathis, it just… it hurts, you know?"

She went on to describe the moment in vivid detail, pausing a few times as if choosing each word carefully. "There were families, there were senior citizens, even kids. And then… there were the lathis, flashing in the sunlight, striking people who were just trying to raise their voices. It felt like watching a movie that you never wanted to be a part of."

Huma’s reaction is not just about a single incident; it reflects a growing unease among several public figures who feel the line between maintaining law and order and suppressing dissent is getting blurry. She added, "I’m not a politician, I’m not a lawyer, but as a citizen… as a human being, you can't just ignore what you see. It stays with you, and you want to talk about it, even if it feels a bit repetitive or redundant. That's why I'm saying it again and again — because it's important."

While the protest itself was organized to demand the removal of former CJI Ranjan Gogoi from the Supreme Court’s pending cases, the brutal police response became the talking point in newsrooms across the country. Media outlets replayed footage of baton‑wielding officers pushing and hitting demonstrators, sparking debates about proportionality and the right to peaceful assembly.

Huma, who has previously been part of campaigns for women's rights and social justice, said she hopes her voice adds just one more note to the chorus demanding accountability. "If raising my voice, even a little, can push the conversation forward, then that’s something worth doing. I don’t have the perfect solution, but I do have a platform, and I’m going to use it," she concluded, her tone mixing determination with a hint of vulnerability.

In the days following the lathi charge, social media flooded with hashtags like #JusticeForProtesters and #StopPoliceBrutality, echoing the very sentiment Huma voiced. Some critics argued that celebrities should stay out of political matters, but many supporters countered that in a democracy, everyone – especially those with influence – has a responsibility to speak up.

For now, the protest at Jantar Mantar remains a stark reminder of how quickly a peaceful gathering can turn into a scene of violence. And for Huma Qureshi, the incident has become a personal call to action, one that she says she’ll carry forward, even if it means revisiting the same painful images again and again.