Cinema VinesIn New Delhi, a wave of criticism has swept through the entertainment industry after police used tear gas and batons to repel thousands of students who marched toward Parliament demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET paper‑leak controversy and alleged exam irregularities. The protest, organised by the satirical digital group Cockroach Janta Party, saw students attempting to reach the parliamentary complex before being pushed back, with several reports of injuries.
Prominent actors and musicians have taken to social media to denounce the force used against the demonstrators. Diljit Dosanjh, who was in the United States at the time, posted that the treatment of students was “very wrong” and urged authorities to heed their demands, adding that he has been labelled “anti‑national” on multiple occasions. He referenced the backlash he faced after the farmers’ protest and the swift removal of his recent film “Satluj” from a streaming platform.
Comedian Vir Das criticised the silence of many Indian artists, arguing that they should not profit from audiences while remaining mute on matters that concern the youth. He called the issue “not political or partisan” and urged artists to use their platforms to support the students. Shabana Azmi and Prakash Raj, who had joined the march, joined other celebrities in voicing concern.
Actor‑producer Riteish Deshmukh and actress Genelia Deshmukh released a joint statement urging that the voices of young Indians be heard “loud, clear, and without fear,” calling them the heartbeat of democracy and the architects of the nation’s future. Sonu Sood, Bhumi Pednekar and other stars echoed the call for non‑violent support, with Pednekar emphasising that violence against students is unacceptable even if she disagrees with all protest rhetoric.
The incident has reignited debates over police conduct during public demonstrations and the role of celebrities in political advocacy. While the students’ demands centre on accountability for the NEET paper leak, the broader conversation now extends to the treatment of dissent and the responsibility of public figures to speak out on civic matters.
