The student protests against the NEET paper leak and examination irregularities are gaining momentum by the day. Educationist and engineer Sonam Wangchuk was on a hunger strike at Jantar Mantar before he was forcibly removed from the site by the police. Then, on July 20, protesters, led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), organised the Sansad Chalo march, calling on people from not just Delhi but across the country to join the demonstration.
Clashes broke out between the protesters and the Delhi Police. Reports and videos of student protesters being lathi-charged by the police surfaced, along with allegations that tear gas was used to disperse the crowd. The police action has since drawn widespread criticism from across the country. Several celebrities have used their platforms to amplify the voices of the protesters. While some, including Vishal Dadlani, Anurag Kashyap and Vikramaditya Motwane, had been speaking out since the early days of the movement, others who had largely stayed away from commenting on the protests have now also condemned the alleged police brutality.
Recently, veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah shared a video condemning the police action. Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap also penned a note, stating that the students who had taken to the streets were between two and six years old when the current government first came to power. He added that they were demanding answers from the same government, and that this time, those questions would have to be answered, failing which the youth would make their voices heard through their votes.
His note read, “What they don’t understand about the kids who’ve come down on the streets to protest is that they were between 2-6 when the PM came to power. All they’ve seen is Congress-mukt Bharat and they’re tired of it. They want answers, and they really want them. Kisi aur ko gaali deke iss baar nahin chalega. In bachchon ke sawaal poochhne aur vote dene ka time aa gaya hai.”
Main Vaapas Aaunga actor Vedang Raina took to Instagram Stories to share a video from the protests and wrote, “I’m so proud to be a part of a generation that cares, that isn’t afraid to ask questions, stand up for what it believes in and show up when it matters the most. I’m just so proud. This is the same Gen Z that gets accused of only being chronically online. Just look at this.”
He also shared several other visuals from the protests.
Actor Rajkummar Rao wrote, “When young people feel unheard, it is a reminder that society must listen. Every voice deserves to be heard with dignity, fairness and respect. At the same time Peace must remain our greatest strength. Violence, from any side only deepens wounds and takes us further away from meaningful solutions.”
Meanwhile, Imran Khan and Arijit Singh did not mince their words as they criticised the police action.
Calling out the attack on the students, Imran wrote, “Those who demand ‘organisation’ from students protesting education reform, but don’t apply such lofty standards of accountability to established authority; bootlickers, one and all. If we don’t listen to those who have the most at stake today, we forfeit all our tomorrows. There is no choice here but one; Solidarity with the students.”
Arijit Singh wrote, “yaar ab to students ko maar rahe hai yahaan aap log. aren’t you ashamed!!?? Hello Neta, Mantri!! kya chal raha hai bhai!! apne aapko bhagwan samajh liya hai kya ***? Har cheez Yaad rakkha jayega! Har Har Mahadev! Yaad rakhna The Only Constant Is Change!”
Check out the posts by Indian celebrities who have spoken up about the July 20 protests:
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