25 July,2026 01:21 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Akanksha Puri. Pic via Instagram
Actress Akansha Puri recently made some shocking claims alleging that she was offered money, flight tickets and hotel accommodation to join and support the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) protest at Jantar Mantar. She further claimed that she was also asked to post reels about it.
Speaking to ANI, the actress said that she refused the offers to support the student protests, adding that students participating in the protest should be supported genuinely. She highlighted that their cause should not be treated as a marketing opportunity.
"I was offered money to support the CJP and Jantar Mantar protest. They even offered me flight tickets to Jantar Mantar. I was asked to post reels. Many other creators received similar offers too. I refused. Students should be supported genuinely. It is not a marketing opportunity," she said.
Puri also allegedly urged politicians to extend genuine support to the protesting students and abstain from using their cause for promotion or marketing. "My request to all politicians as well is to not look at this as promotion or marketing content. Support them, listen to what they have to say, that's all they want," she went on to add.
The actress also commented on the alleged violence on student protestors saying it was disheartening to see young students being lathi-charged and injured during the protest. "It feels really bad when you see young children crying, facing lathi charges, getting injured. Seeing all this felt terrible, and when I saw it, people were making content out of it, which made me feel even worse--that you forgot the core issue. They are the future of our country; they are asking for something small, putting their thoughts forward, and what they are saying isn't wrong. They have every right to raise their voice. So please support them," Puri said.
Talking about the criticism Bollywood celebs have been facing for supporting the protest, Puri said there was "nothing to be criticised" since everyone has their own way of extending support.
Puri also said that public figures face criticism irrespective of how much they support a cause. She said, "Everyone is supporting in their own way. If someone does a lot, people say, 'You're just creating content.' If someone does even more, people say, 'Look, they're marketing, they want views.' That's also a perspective people hold. So I feel everyone is doing what they can in their own way to promote and support, and as much as possible, people are trying."
