Cinema VinesDharmendra Pradhan stepped down as India’s Union Minister of Education on July 25 after weeks of nationwide protests that erupted over irregularities in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET). The resignation came after the Centre promised to address the demonstrators’ demands and the opposition’s “Cockroach Janata Party” withdrew its protests. The move was welcomed by students, activists and a host of Tamil film stars who had been vocal about the issue.
Prominent actors such as Kamal Haasan and Pa Ranjith took to social media to react. Haasan wrote, “Glad to see dialogue replacing confrontation. Dissent deserves dialogue. This is democracy in action,” and later posted a flag with the Latin phrase “Vox Populi.” Ranjith shared a photo of CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke holding the Constitution, adding, “Every time democracy withstands a challenge, it echoes the genius of Babasaheb Dr. B.R. Ambedkar… Today’s victory is a reminder that constitutional values outlast political power. #cockroaches won. Jai Bhim!” He also called for a ban on NEET exams.
Other Tamil celebrities joined the chorus. Varalaxmi Sarathkumar posted on Instagram Stories that “history has been written… well done to all the Gen‑Z kids… #jaihind. This is Democracy.” Lakshmi Manchu expressed relief that students had achieved what they fought for but urged continued vigilance, saying, “We need to catch those responsible for leaking the paper. Let’s keep pushing and ensure this movement doesn’t die here!”
Chinmayi Sripaada highlighted the human cost of the exam controversy by sharing a screenshot of a 17‑year‑old student, S. Anitha, from a marginalised rural area who could not secure a medical seat under the new NEET criteria after scoring 98% in state boards. She had committed suicide in 2017, an event that had sparked earlier protests. Sripaada wrote, “Anitha. Never forget.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced plans to set up fast‑track courts to prosecute those involved in leaking the exam papers. The resignation of Pradhan and the subsequent political commitments signal a turning point in the debate over NEET and the broader accountability of India’s education system.
