Thiruvananthapuram | Malayalam superstar Mammootty on Thursday extended his support to the students protesting in Delhi against the alleged irregularities in the NEET and various other exams conducted at the national level.
In a Facebook post, the actor said, "The youth are the treasure of our nation. Listen to their voices. Protect them. Empower them."
While his post received over 25,000 likes, it also got over 2,000 comments in the one hour after it was made.
Several of the comments criticised the delay in his response, accusing him of waiting for the national award before saying anything, while many others opposed the stand taken by him.
At the same time, many of the comments welcomed his stand.
The superstar is not the only one who has received criticism for supporting the students' agitation in Delhi.
Megastar Mohanlal's daughter Vismaya, actor Tovino Thomas and popular anchor Ranjini Haridas also faced social media attacks for their stand supporting the agitation.
New Delhi | Indian cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar on Thursday backed the students protesting against repeated exam paper leaks, saying their disappointment is understandable and it is the society's collective responsibility to ensure that they "don't feel this way again."
Posting on 'X', Tendulkar said his late father Ramesh Tendulkar, who was a professor, instilled in him certain values quite early in life, the primary one being "Failure is okay, cheating is not. Never take shortcuts."
"As adults in society, we have the responsibility of shaping culture. A society which prioritises outcomes over effort will seek shortcuts over meritocracy. Today, when students feel disappointed that their hard work hasn't been rewarded, it is understandable," Tendulkar stated.
"Collectively, we should all work together towards ensuring they don't feel this way again," he added.
The protests that began on July 20 at Jantar Mantar have taken a violent turn with police resorting to lathi-charge on multiple occasions, citing law and order concerns.
The agitation is being spearheaded by the Cockroach Janata Party with support of environmental activist Sonam Wangchuk, who is on an indefinite fast in solidarity with the students.
They are demanding the removal of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, holding him responsible for the NEET paper leaks that led to a re-test recently.
Multiple students died by suicide across the country in the aftermath of the paper leak.
Tendulkar said he is hopeful of a solution coming through and stressed on the need to promote a culture which rewards honesty and in which merit wins.
"As a society, all of us, including parents, teachers, friends, relatives, schools, and administrators, have a massive responsibility and different roles to play in ensuring our youth remain encouraged and energised.
"We must create a culture where hard work is rewarded, honesty is encouraged, and merit wins. I am certain we will all find solutions that strengthen our children's future and safeguard their aspirations," he said.
On Thursday Prime Minister Narendra Modi issued a statement to say that fast track courts would be set up to ensure speedy trials of those accused of leaking the exam papers.
New Delhi | Former India cricketers Shikhar Dhawan and Mohammad Kaif on Thursday called for a solution to the nationwide protests over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination, which have been linked to multiple student suicides.
The protests, spearheaded by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) and backed by environmental activist Sonam Wangchuk through an ongoing fast, have turned violent in recent days, with students clashing with police and several people getting injured on both sides.
Dhawan urged the protesting students to "remain patient" and have faith in the country's institutions and governance.
"Humare youth humare desh ka future hain. Unke sapnon ko samajhna zaroori hai par saath hi, mushkil waqt mein patience rakhna aur desh ki institutions aur sarkar par bharosa banaye rakhna bhi utna hi zaroori hai (Our youth are the future of our nation.
"(It is essential to understand their dreams, but at the same time, it is equally important to maintain patience in difficult times and keep faith in the country's institutions and government)," Shikhar, who retired from all forms of international and domestic cricket in 2024, wrote on 'X'.
He said the way forward lay in dialogue and patience, stressing that constructive engagement was the key to finding a solution as India continued to grow.
"Mera maanna hai ki har challenge ka solution patience se nikalta hai. Bharat hamesha aage badha hai aur aage bhi badhta rahega (I believe that the solution to every challenge emerges with patience. India has always moved forward and will continue to progress)," he added.
Cricketer-turned-commentator Mohammad Kaif said it was heartbreaking to see visuals of police personnel using force against students protesting in Delhi. The agitation has left both protesters and police personnel injured.
"As a father it pains me to see students being roughed up by police for protesting over flaws in education. Kids getting beaten with lathis on the streets of Delhi should stop. I hope a solution comes up very soon," Kaif posted on 'X'.
Backing the students, former India pacer Irfan Pathan said no paper leak should be allowed to take place again.
"Every student puts in years of hard work for a better future and their families make sacrifices along the way too. No paper leak should ever be allowed to take that hope," he posted on 'X'.
"I have full faith that our country, authorities will ensure every one of them gets a fair chance. I also hope every possible step is taken to make sure this never happens again. Our students are our future, Protect their dreams."
Activist Wangchuk, who was fasting at the Jantar Mantar, was first shifted to Safdarjung Hospital citing his falling vital parameters.
He is now in Medanta Hospital in Gurugram after his wife approached the Delhi High Court seeking a transfer from the government facility.
Thousands of students tried to march towards the Parliament on July 20 to express their frustration but were thwarted by Delhi Police's use of force, including tear gas and lathi-charge.
