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oi-Swastika Sruti
After a chain of leaders and celebs, extending support to the students protest over the NEET UG paper leak, cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar also voiced his support to the students protest.
Sachin Tendulkar and Salman Khan supported student protests against the NEET UG paper leak, emphasizing honesty and merit, while the Jantar Mantar agitation continues demanding Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation.
In his heartfelt message, Sachin highlighted the importance of honesty, hard work and merit at the time when students across the nation are on streets against the exam irregularities.
Although Tendulkar did not directly mention the ongoing NEET-UG controversy or the student protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, his post struck a chord with many social media users. Several people viewed it as a message encouraging fairness and integrity in the education system.
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) July 23, 2026
Sachin Recalls His Father’s Life Lesson
In his post, Tendulkar remembered his father, who was a professor and a mentor to many students. He said one lesson that stayed with him throughout his life was that while failure is acceptable, cheating never is.
Quoting his father, Tendulkar wrote, “Failure is okay, cheating is not. Never take shortcuts.”
The former cricketer used this lesson to stress the importance of building a society that values honesty and effort over shortcuts and unfair advantages.
Calls For A Culture That Rewards Merit
Tendulkar said every member of society has a role to play in shaping the country’s future. According to him, a society that focuses only on results instead of hard work risks encouraging shortcuts instead of merit.
Referring to students who feel disappointed when their efforts do not receive the recognition they deserve, he said such emotions are understandable. He added that everyone should work together to ensure young people continue to believe in a fair and transparent system.
The batting legend also appealed for creating an environment where honesty is encouraged, hard work is rewarded and merit remains the deciding factor.
A Message Of Hope For India’s Youth
Tendulkar described India’s youth as the country’s greatest strength, saying they are full of dreams, energy and ambition. He said parents, teachers, schools, friends, relatives and administrators all have an important responsibility in keeping young people motivated and confident about their future.
He expressed confidence that society would find solutions that protect students’ aspirations and strengthen the future of the country’s children.
Ending his message on a positive note, Tendulkar wrote, “Jai Hind!”
Salman Khan Had Extended His Support
Sharing a photograph from his school days, Salman wrote:
“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. Paper leak is a very serious issue, and I am glad to know and see that the kids of our country have come together for a better educational system, with the support of their parents.
I truly appreciate the stand they have taken, showing dedication, sincerity and a strong desire to study hard and build their future, while contributing to a greater, educated India. This andolan, this protest, is the right way to go about it, and the students have carried it out peacefully. So courageous and brave. Driven and motivated towards education, this generation will make India proud.”
The students are at top priority, educationally n security-wise, so they need not worry and have their parents worried for them. The Honorable Prime Minister has tweeted, and I am sure that he will take strict action against all those people who are responsible for this leak. So… pic.twitter.com/89Ykfs5r4k
— Salman Khan (@BeingSalmanKhan) July 23, 2026
He also urged that the movement should not be politicised.
“This issue is between the students and the education system. It should not be hijacked politically. The credit should only go to the students of our country. I am sure the government will support them and help build a stronger education system. It’s a win-win situation. Hoping and praying for a positive decision. God bless all of you who want to be educated.
Education should become the next trend and fashion. It should become trendier every year, so much so that people from other countries come to India to study, and India becomes an educational hub.”
Salman Khan Appeals To Students And Sonam Wangchuk
In his latest post, Salman Khan urged both the protesting students and activist Sonam Wangchuk to end the agitation.
He wrote:
“The students are our top priority, both educationally and security-wise, so they should not have to worry or make their parents worry. The Hon’ble Prime Minister has tweeted, and I am sure strict action will be taken against those responsible for the paper leak. So students, please go back to your parents and your homes.”
He also appealed to Sonam Wangchuk, who is currently on the 25th day of his hunger strike, to end his fast and preserve his energy.
“Sonam, it’s done, bro. Don’t extend this. Keep the spirit for another day if there is a need, which I doubt, and eat something. If you want, I’ll send you food from my home.”
Protest Continues At Jantar Mantar
The student movement at Jantar Mantar has continued to draw national attention in recent weeks. The protest intensified after thousands of students and supporters of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) joined the ‘Chalo Sansad’ march on July 20.
The protesters are demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the alleged NEET-UG paper leak and other claimed irregularities in the country’s examination and recruitment system.
While several celebrities have publicly expressed support for the students, Shah Rukh Khan has remained silent on the issue. The viral screenshot claiming otherwise is fake and should not be treated as an official statement from the actor.
