Cinema VinesActor and comedian Munawar Faruqui took to the social‑media platform X on Friday to voice his frustration with the silence of many film stars during the student protests that have been unfolding in Delhi for the past 25 days. Faruqui wrote that it is “disappointing” that most celebrities only found their voice after the Prime Minister spoke and public sentiment shifted, pointing out that the students had been on the streets, facing criticism and paying the price for speaking out long before any celebrity support emerged. He urged public figures to act “without fear, not only when it’s safe,” adding that support driven by pressure or public opinion is convenience rather than courage.
Faruqui’s comments come amid a series of clashes between protestors and police. On Monday, a demonstration organized by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) in the New Delhi area turned violent when protestors refused to disperse despite repeated warnings from the police. Video footage shows Delhi Police lathi‑charging the students and firing tear gas, while protestors accuse police of targeting them indiscriminately and claim that civilians without police accreditation also attacked them.
The protests, which have been ongoing for over two weeks, center on alleged irregularities in the education sector, including the leak of NEET exam papers. Social activist Sonam Wangchuck joined the movement earlier this month and began a hunger strike at Jantar Mantar. Meanwhile, Delhi Police detained more than 25 students, including those from Jamia Millia Islamia and Delhi University, on Thursday night while they were heading to Jantar Mantar with protest posters. The police said the action was preventive under the Delhi Police Act for alleged attempts to join an unlawful assembly.
In a separate development, activist Sonam Wangchuck ended his 26‑day hunger strike late Thursday night at Gurugram’s Medanta Hospital after prolonged negotiations with lawmakers across party lines. Prime Minister Narendra Modi wished him a speedy recovery, and the Union ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh were present when Wangchuck resumed his routine. The incident highlights the broader tensions surrounding the student protests and the varying responses from political and public figures.
