Several film personalities, including Vijay Varma, Huma Qureshi, Imran Khan and Zayn Marie, have publicly backed the nationwide protests demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar and a rollback of the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.

Imran Khan, with his cousin Zayn Marie, joined a protest and were detained by police the same day.

Marie later said on social media that she was injured during detention. Police have not been quoted in response to her claim.

The Supreme Court has since stepped in, stating that there must be no illegal detention and that citizens have the right to peaceful protest.

Actor Vijay Varma used Instagram to take a sarcastic swipe at the CEC, calling him “the face of free and fair election” and sharing a post titled “Saving Private Gyan.”

His caption said he was happy to see “the forces” joining to save a “national hero,” adding that he should be protected “at any cost.”

Actress Huma Qureshi also posted in support of the right to peaceful protest, raised questions about the Election Commission’s accountability and objected to the suppression of demonstrations.

Stars including Prakash Raj, Vishal Dadlani, Shabana Azmi, Naseeruddin Shah and Sonakshi Sinha have also voiced support for the protests.

“Vote chor, Gaddi chor” and “Gyanesh, it’s done bro” have emerged as the main slogans.

The second line spread widely after actor Salman Khan tweeted it during a Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest.

Abhijit Dipke, Sourav Das, Neha Bora, Prakash Raj and Dhruv Rathee are among the prominent faces of the movement.

Opposition leaders Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge and Mamata Banerjee have also taken part.

The ruling government has backed the CEC, while opposition leaders have called for his removal.

Protesters and opposition leaders allege that demonstrators are being detained illegally.

The protests began in late September and picked up through October 2026, after an Indian Express investigation report on election commissioners formally objected to certain actions within the Election Commission of India.

Protests around the country are being led by the CJP, opposition parties and student groups such as AISA and SFI.