Actress Revathy Asha on Tuesday publicly condemned the police crackdown on students participating in the 'Sansad Chalo' march in Delhi, drawing a pointed parallel between the conduct of security forces and colonial-era British violence during India's freedom struggle. Her remarks, posted on Instagram, quickly drew widespread attention.

What Revathy Said on Social Media

In her Instagram post, Revathy wrote: '#cjpprotest #cjp The protectors unleashing violence… orders given by their seniors!!! Reminds us of the British violence during our freedom struggle… the officers were British but the soldiers were Indian… they had to obey, else they would be punished! Today we are seeing a repeat but the difference is both the cops on the ground and their seniors are Indian!!!'

She stressed that the protest had been peaceful and called on authorities to engage with the demonstrators rather than suppress them. 'It was peaceful!!! What ever the demands, it should be heard and discussed...not silenced with violence… The children are voicing out their concern - hear them, talk to them… not beat them… with Sonam Wangchuk and the students of our country,' she added.

The Open Letter to Police Officers

Revathy also published what she titled 'An Open Letter to Every Police Officer in India', addressed directly to the personnel deployed during the protest. In it, she wrote: 'Dear Police Officer, Today, I didn't just watch students protest. I watched the people sworn to protect them stand against them. Your uniform is more than a badge of authority. It is a promise. A promise that citizens can raise their voices without being treated like enemies.'

She urged officers to reflect on the choices embedded in every order they receive, arguing that they had an opportunity — and an obligation — to stand beside the students rather than against them. 'You could have formed a protective corridor instead of a barricade. You could have escorted them safely to the gates of Parliament and said, 'These are your children. Hear them.' What a powerful message that would have been,' she wrote.

A Message on Constitutional Duty

Revathy invoked the constitutional role of law enforcement, arguing that police exist to protect citizens regardless of which government holds power. She asked officers to consider how the students — who she said would grow up to become 'doctors, teachers, engineers, judges, entrepreneurs, and maybe even police officers' — would one day remember this moment.

She concluded the letter with: 'History rarely remembers the orders. It remembers the courage. From one citizen who still hopes you'll choose the Constitution over fear, Jai Hind.'

Context: The CJP Protest and Sansad Chalo March

The 'Sansad Chalo' march, associated with the CJP (Citizens for Justice and Peace) protest movement, saw students and activists attempt to march towards Parliament in Delhi. Police deployed barricades and, according to reports, used force to disperse the crowd. The demonstration also featured climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, whose participation drew additional public focus to the protest.

Revathy's intervention adds a prominent cultural voice to what has become a broader debate about the limits of state authority and the right to peaceful dissent in India.