Key facts
- Indian celebrities are being criticized for their silence on recent large-scale youth protests.
- The protests, led by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), demand accountability for exam paper leaks.
- The demonstrations resulted in the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Prasad.
- Protesters accused celebrities of hypocrisy for commenting on global issues but ignoring domestic grievances.
- Some celebrities issued non-committal statements or advised students to return home.
- Veteran actors Naseeruddin Shah and Shabana Azmi publicly supported the protesters.
Indian celebrities, including prominent Bollywood stars and cricketers, are facing widespread criticism for their silence on recent large-scale youth protests across the country. The demonstrations, organized by a movement calling itself the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), are demanding accountability for exam paper leaks that led to millions of students retaking an important exam and, tragically, over a dozen student suicides.
Protesters, who have been staging an indefinite sit-in protest in the capital since June 20, expressed anger and disappointment that celebrities, whom they helped make famous and wealthy, have not offered support. Many noted that these same stars often comment on global tragedies but remain silent on domestic grievances, even when their fanbase is subjected to police brutality, including batons, teargas, and alleged pellet gun use.
The mass demonstrations have already led to the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Prasad, a key demand of the CJP. This is seen as an unprecedented challenge to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government. Many celebrities, particularly those from Bollywood, are perceived to be treading carefully due to the perceived co-option of the industry by the ruling Bharatiya Janata party (BJP) and the potential for backlash from right-wing groups.
Some of the few superstars who eventually commented, such as Salman Khan and Anupam Kher, refrained from directly criticizing the government. Khan advised students to return home, while Kher warned of political opportunists influencing the movement. Aamir Khan also faced criticism after disputing the widely accepted origin of his film 'Three Idiots,' which many interpreted as an attempt to distance himself from activist Sonam Wangchuk, who supported the CJP movement with a hunger strike.
Top cricketers like Virat Kohli, Anushka Sharma, and Sachin Tendulkar also drew flak for their perceived lack of spine or vague statements. Influencer Alexander Balakrishnan suggested that while some celebrities might fear damaging their careers, the most famous ones have enough protection to speak out. Notable exceptions included veteran actors Naseeruddin Shah and Shabana Azmi, with Azmi traveling to Delhi to participate in the protest and advocating for listening to the students' demands.