Cinema VinesTwinkle Khanna, a well‑known author and former actress, has joined the chorus of Indian celebrities backing the nationwide protests against the NEET exam controversy. Two days after Delhi Police used lathi charges on demonstrators during the Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) Chalo Sansad march, Khanna posted a series of images on Instagram that highlighted the intensity of the demonstrations in Delhi and Mumbai. The first photograph showed 27‑year‑old model Rhiya Ahir standing defiantly in front of a police van that had been transporting detained protestors, while another image captured a woman shielding fellow demonstrators from a lathi charge.
In the caption, Khanna expressed her pride in being part of a country where young people “still have the courage to dissent, to push back, to brave tear gas and batons.” She added that the sad reality is that “they have to” endure such hardships. The post was part of a growing wave of solidarity from Bollywood and film industry figures, including Shabana Azmi, Prakash Raj, Sonakshi Sinha, Salman Khan, Alia Bhatt, Imran Khan and Rajkummar Rao, many of whom have spoken out on social media or attended marches at Jantar Mantar.
The protests, which have gathered students, parents and supporters across Delhi and other cities, demand accountability and reforms in the country’s examination system. The movement is led by the satirical Cockroach Janta Party, which adopted the term “cockroach” after Chief Justice of India Surya Kant allegedly referred to unemployed youth activists with that nickname. Protesters have turned the label into a symbol of resistance, calling for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, a ₹1 crore compensation package for families of students who died by suicide, and the release of activist Sonam Wangchuk.
The July 20 “Chalo Sansad” march in Delhi began peacefully but later escalated into clashes between a section of demonstrators and police, prompting the use of tear gas and batons. Since then, demonstrations have continued, with protestors vowing to persist until they achieve accountability, justice and meaningful reforms to the examination system.
