Cinema VinesIn a move that has drawn attention from the film industry and the public alike, Bollywood superstar Salman Khan took to X on Wednesday to express his support for students who have been protesting over the alleged leak of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) paper. Khan said the leak was a serious problem and that his heart goes out to those who have been hurt while demonstrating peacefully.
“It was such a peaceful movement, feel so sad that it had to take a violent turn. My heart goes out to the students and their families who were hurt,” the actor wrote. He praised the students for their dedication, sincerity and keenness to study hard for their futures and for the benefit of a more educated India.
While applauding the protest, Khan cautioned against the movement being hijacked for political purposes. “This protest is the right way to go about it, and the students have done this peacefully. So courageous and brave,” he added. He urged that the issue remain between students and the educational system, and that the government should support them in building a stronger educational framework.
Khan is the first actor from the prominent “Khan” trio to speak publicly on the matter. His statement came two days after police cracked down on protestors in New Delhi during the ‘Chalo Sansad’ march, which called for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged irregularities in various examinations.
The actor’s comments echo those of other film figures such as Naseeruddin Shah, Ratna Pathak Shah, Shabana Azmi, Prakash Raj, Rajkummar Rao, Revathy, Tovino Thomas and Anurag Kashyap, who have also voiced concern over the NEET paper leak. Khan concluded that education should become trendier and more fashionable so that India can emerge as an education hub, and he expressed hope for a positive decision from the authorities.
