Actor Ayesha Khan, who gained popularity after appearing in the song ‘Shararat’ from the film ‘Dhurandhar’, was detained by Mumbai Police on Wednesday, July 22, while trying to take part in a protest supporting students demanding educational reforms.
The demonstration was held in solidarity with the ongoing movement led by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP). What began as a student protest in Delhi has now expanded to several cities across the country, with gatherings being organised in support of the students’ demands.
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Actor says she was standing quietly when police detained her
Soon after being detained, Ayesha shared a series of videos on her Instagram Stories from inside a police van and later from Worli Police Station.
Looking visibly upset in the videos, the actor said she had reached the protest site around 4 pm only to express support for the students. According to her, she was standing on the roadside with two female friends after her brother and some male friends had already been taken into a police vehicle.
Ayesha claimed that they had not started protesting, had not raised any slogans and were not carrying placards. She maintained that they were simply standing on the road when police officers approached them.
Videos show actor questioning the reason for detention
One of the videos shared by Ayesha shows police personnel escorting her into a police van while she repeatedly asks why she is being detained.
Speaking in another clip, she said her hands were shaking because she could not understand why action had been taken against her.
She stated that she had remained silent throughout and insisted that neither she nor her friends had participated in any protest activities before being taken into custody.
Claims around 15 officers surrounded her and her friends
Ayesha alleged that around 15 police personnel, including women officers, surrounded her and the two women accompanying her before asking them to board the police van.
According to the actor, she repeatedly questioned the officers about the reason for the detention but did not receive any explanation.
She also posted another video asking police where they were taking the detained individuals. In a separate clip, she requested officers not to push her while she was being escorted. She later alleged that she and her friends were forcibly taken to Worli Police Station.
Shares message about choosing principles over career
Among her Instagram Stories, Ayesha also uploaded a screenshot of a message in which she responded to someone by writing, “I would rather lose my career than losing my spine. Scare someone else, thank you, bye bye.”
Questions police action despite polite behaviour at station
After reaching Worli Police Station, Ayesha said the officers there behaved politely. However, she criticised the conduct of the personnel present at the protest site.
She alleged that she and her friends were pushed during the detention and questioned what law they had violated. She further claimed that only the three of them were standing together and argued that the restrictions cited by police had not yet come into force when they were detained.