The nationwide protests over the alleged NEET paper leak continue to gather momentum, with demonstrations now spreading beyond New Delhi to cities including Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Mumbai and Patna. As the movement grows, voices from the Indian film industry have also become increasingly vocal in backing the students’ demands for accountability.
Kamal Haasan says students deserve answers, not barricades
Joining the growing list of celebrities speaking out, Kamal Haasan took to X on Thursday to express solidarity with the protesting students. In a strongly worded statement, the veteran actor reflected on the state of India’s education system while urging the country to stand by its youth.
“We should have listened when one child cried. Instead, we waited until far too many of our children died.”
Expressing his disappointment with the current system, he added, “A system where coaching replaces learning, anxiety replaces curiosity, and criminality replaces merit is rotten. A nation has failed when its children are met with barricades and batons instead of answers.”
The actor also praised the resilience of the students and urged the country to respond to their concerns with empathy and action.
“To the children of India: You are the best of us. You have done your duty. It is now time for the country to do its duty by you. May your dreams forever be bigger than our failures.”
We should have listened when one child cried.
Instead, we waited until far too many of our children died.
A system where coaching replaces learning, anxiety replaces curiosity, and criminality replaces merit is rotten.
A nation has failed when its children are met with…
— Kamal Haasan (@ikamalhaasan) July 23, 2026
Film personalities continue to rally behind the student movement
Apart from expressing solidarity with the students, Kamal Haasan also appealed to education activist Sonam Wangchuk, who has been on a hunger strike for more than three weeks, to call off his fast. “The nation will need your conscience for the journey ahead,” he wrote.
Kamal’s statement comes as support for the student-led movement continues to grow within the film fraternity. Over the past few days, several leading names from the Tamil and Malayalam film industries have publicly backed the protests and raised concerns over the handling of the demonstrations.
Filmmakers and actors including Mari Selvaraj, Pradeep Ranganathan, Naslen, Nazriya Nazim, Tovino Thomas, Mohanlal and Anaswara Rajan have all voiced their support for the students. Many have also criticised the reported police action against peaceful protesters, calling for accountability and urging the authorities to engage with the students’ demands instead of suppressing them.
What began as a movement centred on the alleged examination scam has now evolved into a wider national conversation on merit, transparency and the future of India’s education system. With more public figures lending their voices to the cause, the students’ demands continue to resonate far beyond the protest sites, keeping the spotlight firmly on the call for answers and accountability.
Also Read: Bhagyashri Borse Pens Heartfelt Note After Meeting Kamal Haasan for Sivakarthikeyan’s Seyon
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