Cinema VinesIn the midst of a nationwide student protest led by the Centre for Justice and Peace (CJP), images of cricketer Virat Kohli and actress Anushka Sharma visiting the spiritual guru Premanand Ji Maharaj in Vrindavan have ignited a social media firestorm. The photos, which show the couple walking barefoot in simple clothing, surfaced on Wednesday and were shared widely across platforms, drawing sharp criticism from fans who felt the pair should have used their influence to speak out for the students who faced a lathi‑charge during a march from Jantar Mantar to Parliament on Monday.
The protest, which centers on demands for education reforms, saw participants allegedly attacked with batons and tear gas. While several celebrities—including Huma Qureshi, Naseeruddin Shah, Diljit Dosanjh, Riteish Deshmukh, Shabana Azmi, Prakash Raj and Preity Zinta—publicly voiced their support for the demonstrators, Kohli and Sharma’s recent pilgrimage was perceived as a silent stance. Fans expressed disappointment on X, with one user writing, “He don’t have SPINE to talk about the youth & ongoing protest… Utter Shame.” Another added, “What about supporting the Jantar Mantar protests since he is from Delhi…!” and a third urged, “You have achieved everything man, you were born in Delhi, people in this country worship you. Grow a spine and stand for the students.”
Some supporters defended Kohli, suggesting he might be “rage‑baiting his haters,” while others questioned whether his silence was a deliberate choice. The controversy highlights the growing expectation that high‑profile figures must take a public stand on social and political issues, especially those that directly affect young people and education policy.
Naseeruddin Shah, who has joined the chorus of celebrities backing the students, remarked, “Right now, my heart is aching and I am also boiling with anger watching how our kids have been treated by these goons who remind me of American ICE agents, wearing masks and carrying sticks. Think about your own children sometimes and what your actions will mean for them.” His statement underscores the broader call for accountability and solidarity amid the protests.
