Tovino Thomas Backs Student Protesters, Condemns Police Action at CJP Demonstration

Kochi: Actor Tovino Thomas has expressed solidarity with students protesting under the CJP banner, criticising the police action against demonstrators and asserting that peaceful dissent is a fundamental pillar of democracy.

In an Instagram post shared following the police action on Monday, Tovino questioned the use of force against what he described as a peaceful protest.

"Right and wrong may be relative, but this is certainly not the way to handle a peaceful protest," the actor wrote.

Questioning the treatment meted out to the protesters, Tovino asked, "What did these students do wrong? Did they destroy property? Did they resort to violence? What exactly did they do to deserve this treatment?"

He said suppressing the voices of young people who raise concerns about the future of the country weakens democratic values.

"When the future generation of a nation speaks up, and their voices are met with repressive force, it is the future itself that is being stamped down. It is faith in democracy that is being drained away," he wrote.

Expressing support for peaceful protests, Tovino said he stood in solidarity with those demonstrating for what they believe to be a just cause.

"To every person protesting for a just cause, peacefully, in any part of our country, I extend my wholehearted solidarity. The right to dissent is not a threat to democracy; in fact it is one of its foundations," he said.

The actor also responded to potential criticism over his political views, stating that his comments transcended political and religious affiliations.

"And to anyone about to question my sense of nationalism, I know myself better than you do. This goes beyond politics, religion, and every other form of division. My politics is humanity. My belief is peace. Jai Hind," he concluded.

The post comes a day after police action against students participating in the CJP protest on Monday drew widespread attention and sparked criticism from opposition parties, student organisations and sections of civil society. Tovino is among the latest public figures to react to the incident, voicing support for the students' right to peaceful protest.