The ongoing uproar over the NEET-UG paper leak and the call for educational reforms have Hollywood's glitterati rallying behind the students. The film industry's biggest names are voicing their support, expressing outrage over the scandal, and calling for swift accountability. While some stars are urging a peaceful approach, others are not holding back in their criticism of how the protests are being handled.
Salman Khan isn't one to stay silent on issues close to his heart. On Thursday, he shared another post urging students to head home and called on social activist Sonam Wangchuk to end his hunger strike. Confident that justice would prevail, Salman wrote, "The students are at top priority, educationally n security-wise. So students, please go back to your parents and homes." He even offered to send food to Wangchuk, showing his personal investment in the cause.
"The students are at top priority, educationally n security-wise. So students, please go back to your parents and homes." – Salman Khan
Alia Bhatt, known for her heartfelt messages, shared her emotional turmoil, saying the events had "broken my heart and then mended it with hope." She hailed the students as symbols of resilience, standing for dreams and family hopes, and creating a "better path for those who will come after them."
Ananya Panday echoed Alia's sentiments, highlighting how Gen Z has been unfairly labeled. "Questioning isn't disrespect. Speaking up isn't rebellion. It's hope," she wrote, urging for fairness to become the norm.
Varun Dhawan, Shabana Azmi, and R Madhavan are among the many stars throwing their weight behind the students. Varun emphasized the importance of addressing the students' concerns transparently. Meanwhile, Shabana Azmi joined the protesters on the ground, advocating for students' rights to demand accountability.
Naseeruddin Shah criticized the harsh police actions, comparing them to American ICE agents, and R Madhavan expressed his disappointment over the leak, cautioning against vested interests hijacking the movement.
The support doesn't stop there. A slew of other film personalities, from Sonakshi Sinha to John Cusack, have publicly expressed their backing. This united front from Bollywood reflects a broader conversation happening nationwide – one where the focus remains on student demands and the call for change, free from political distractions.