A student movement in India demanding accountability and reform in the country’s education system has drawn a wave of public support from celebrities on both sides of the border, with Pakistani and Indian stars alike using their platforms to stand alongside the protesters.
The Cockroach Janta Party movement began after allegations emerged of widespread examination paper leaks, and has since grown into a nationwide campaign calling for greater transparency and systemic reform in India’s education sector. While the protests started peacefully, clashes with authorities have since been reported in some areas, drawing even wider attention to the students’ cause.
Pakistani actors were among the first from across the border to express solidarity. Azfar Rehman shared a video showing alleged police brutality against the protesters, writing: “Shame on the Indian police and government for such insensitive and inhumane behaviour towards students. It’s really sad how these kids are being insulted and beaten up.” Television host Maya Khan praised the students’ awareness and sense of purpose, describing today’s youth as well-informed and saying she stood with them regardless of nationality. Actor Bilal Qureshi expressed empathy, writing simply: “I can feel the pain of this generation, here and there.” Rapper Talha Anjum addressed the protesters directly in an Instagram Story, telling them he had great respect for their resilience and understood their frustration, urging them to stay strong.
From within India’s own entertainment industry, the response has been equally vocal. Salman Khan shared a childhood photograph of himself in a school uniform on Instagram, describing the protests as a peaceful movement for educational reform and expressing sadness at the violent turn some demonstrations had taken. He called the issue of paper leaks a very serious one and urged that the movement stay focused on education rather than be pulled into political territory. Alia Bhatt praised the students’ determination in a heartfelt post, describing them as the generation that will shape India’s future and calling their persistence both heartbreaking and hopeful in equal measure.
Preity Zinta also voiced support for the students’ demands while cautioning that peaceful demonstrations should not be taken over by what she described as anti-national elements. She additionally called on the Indian government to begin meaningful dialogue with activist Sonam Wangchuk, who has been on an indefinite hunger strike since the protests began. Rakhi Sawant expressed support and questioned the treatment students had faced during the demonstrations.
Other Bollywood names who had already lent their voices to the movement included Diljit Dosanjh, Sonakshi Sinha, Aditi Rao Hydari, Shabana Azmi, Pooja Bhatt, Arijit Singh, actor Imran Khan and Zeenat Aman.
Not all celebrities have spoken out, and the silence of some has drawn its own kind of scrutiny. A fan page dedicated to Katrina Kaif reportedly shut down, citing disappointment over her decision not to comment on the protests, a reminder that on certain issues, staying quiet is itself read as a statement by an audience that is watching closely.
