Entertainment
oi-Swastika Sruti
It marks the 24th day of Sonam Wangchuk’s hunger strike on Wednesday (July 22) the CJP protest gained traction over alleged NEET irregularities, several well-known actors, filmmakers and musicians came out in support of the students.
As protests against alleged NEET irregularities intensify, Sonam Wangchuk enters his 24th day of hunger strike, receiving support from celebrities critical of alleged force. The CJP urges Wangchuk to end his fast for health, pledging advocacy for “examination justice.”
While some condemned the alleged use of force against protesters, others questioned the government’s response and appealed for accountability.
Here are some of the strongest reactions:
Ratna Pathak Shah: “What Kind of Gurus Are We Becoming?”
Actor Ratna Pathak Shah shared an emotional video on social media, drawing a parallel with the story of Eklavya from the Mahabharata.
Recalling the famous tale, she said she was once told that Eklavya’s sacrifice reflected a student’s devotion towards his teacher. But today, she said, she sees the story differently.
“We call ourselves Vishwa Guru, but we cannot even communicate with our own students. Are we expecting our children to sacrifice their entire future just so that a few people can hold on to power? What kind of teachers are we becoming?”
She also apologised to students, saying her generation could see such a situation coming but failed to stop it in time.
“Perhaps we no longer have the right to guide you. But we still have the sincerity and the determination to stand beside you.”
Anupam Kher: “Student Movements Are the Purest Voice of Society”
Actor Anupam Kher addressed students directly in a video message.
He said he understood their anger because he too had once been a student who dreamed, questioned the system and disagreed with authority.
“No student should have to go through such circumstances just to express their voice.”
Calling student movements “the most honest voice in society”, Kher said they are driven not by self-interest but by concern for the future.
However, he also issued a word of caution.
“The moment political or opportunistic people enter your movement, be careful. Slowly the issue stops being yours. The cameras become theirs, the slogans become theirs and the purpose becomes theirs, while the loss remains yours.”
He ended his message saying:
“I stand with you. Today, tomorrow and always.”
Naseeruddin Shah: “Sab Yaad Rakha Jayega”
Veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah delivered one of the sharpest criticisms of the government’s handling of the protest.
He said that when an ignorant person leads a nation, they ultimately want everyone else to become equally ignorant and unsuccessful.
Expressing anger over the treatment of protesting students, he said:
“My heart is heavy and I am boiling with anger seeing what is being done to these children.”
He compared masked security personnel carrying batons to authoritarian forces and urged them to think about their own children before using force against students.
Ending his message with a warning to those in power, he said:
“Sab yaad rakha jayega (Everything will be remembered).”
Seema Pahwa Breaks Down: “Humanity Has Disappeared”
Actor Seema Pahwa became emotional while speaking about the protest and broke into tears.
She questioned the silence of influential people despite students allegedly facing violence.
“Humanity has disappeared. It is already July 22, yet so many people continue to remain silent just to protect their own positions.”
Appealing to every section of society to speak up, she added:
“These children are fighting for themselves and are being beaten. This country needs people from every field to stand beside them.”
Amol Parashar: “I Cried Myself to Sleep”
Actor Amol Parashar shared a detailed account after visiting Jantar Mantar on July 20.
He said he deliberately wore a mask because he did not want attention and only wanted to listen to the students.
Despite being recognised by some people, he said everyone respected his privacy.
What struck him most, however, was the behaviour of the protesters.
Despite the huge crowd, he said there was not a single instance of inappropriate behaviour, and strangers constantly helped each other by offering water and fanning those affected by the heat.
Reflecting on the day, he wrote:
“I realised there is something worse than burning eyes from tear gas or the terrible taste it leaves in your throat. It is helplessness.”
He revealed that he cried himself to sleep that night thinking about the students returning home only to find themselves branded as “Pakistanis”, “paid agents” and “Chinese agents.”
Arijit Singh: “Are You Not Ashamed?”
Singer Arijit Singh posted a strongly-worded message on X, expressing outrage over the alleged treatment of students.
He wrote:
“Now you are beating students. Aren’t you ashamed?”
Addressing political leaders directly, he questioned whether they had begun considering themselves above everyone else.
He ended the post with a warning:
“Everything will be remembered.”
And added another line:
“The only constant is change.”
Zeeshan Ayyub Also Voices Support
Actor Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub also extended his support to the protesting students and urged people to listen to their concerns instead of questioning their intentions.
Rakhi Sawant Extends Support
Actor and television personality Rakhi Sawant also voiced support for the students, urging authorities to listen to their demands instead of allowing the situation to escalate further.
CJP Urges Sonam Wangchuk To End His Hunger Strike
The Cockroach Janata Party has urged Sonam Wangchuk to end his hunger strike. In their post it said, “With great respect and gratitude, we request you to please end your fast. Your sacrifice has inspired thousands of students across the country. On 20th July, young people travelled from different states to stand with you and this movement. You have shown that this fight is bigger than any one person and that students deserve justice. But right now, we need you to take care of your health.
We promise that this struggle will not end with your fast. We will continue the protests and take this fight forward until our demands for examination justice are met. We will do everything we can to keep it moving.”
