Shabana Azmi urges citizens to join protest and raise voice for their voting rights

Shabana Azmi (Pic/AFP)

Veteran actress Shabana Azmi has urged citizens to speak up for their voting rights and question concerns over voter lists. In a video shared on social media, she highlighted the importance of every vote and called for a protest at Mumbai's Shivaji Park on Gandhi Jayanti. Azmi has previously participated in protests supporting students' demands.

Shabana Azmi urges citizens to vote

"Your vote is your right. Your vote is your voice. But what happens when your vote disappears from the voter's list? Join the protest for your democratic right. On 2nd Oct, Gandhi Jayanti. Shivaji Park, 4 pm. I will see you there," Shabana wrote while sharing the video. In the video, Shabana begins by recalling the message that citizens have heard throughout their lives - that their vote is their voice and can help shape the future of the country.

"Your vote is your voice. Your vote is your right. Your vote can shape the future of this country. But what happens when your vote doesn't count? What happens when your name suddenly disappears from the voter list, when your vote can be excluded, altered, or manipulated?" she asked.

She went on to say that the issue was not about any particular political party but about the voting rights of citizens. "Today, the question is not about any party. The question is about your vote, my vote, all of our votes. We have asked for permission to protest so many times, but we did not get permission. But asking questions is our right. So come out of your homes, ask questions, raise your voice for your vote, for your democracy."

About Shabana Azmi's stand during the protest

Veteran actor Shabana Azmi joined the Cockroach Janta Party-led protests at Jantar Mantar, supporting students demanding education reforms. She praised the youth's courage and determination during the Chalo Sansad march. Talking to mid-day from New Delhi, she had said, "These young people have been pushed to the wall, and they have chosen to resist with courage and dignity."

Workwise, she recently starred in the simultaneous August 14, 2026, theatrical releases of the partition drama Batwara 1947 and the action thriller Awarapan 2, and she has additional projects lined up.