22 July,2026 06:41 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Anupam Kher. Pic via X
Actor Anupam Kher has extended his support to students participating in the CJP protests, calling student movements an important part of democracy. However, the veteran actor also urged protesters to remain cautious about people with political motives attempting to take over their cause.
Addressing students across the country, Kher said that raising questions, demanding accountability and protesting peacefully are signs of a healthy democracy. Calling students the "future of the nation", the 71-year-old actor said he understood their frustration as someone who had once been a student with his own dreams and aspirations.
"In my view, student movements are the truest voice of society. They are not driven by self-interest. They are motivated by concern for their future, by the desire to protect their rights, and by the dream of building a better nation," Kher said in a video message.
While expressing solidarity with the students' demands, Kher cautioned them against allowing outsiders to use their movement for personal or political gains. He said that while additional support may appear to strengthen a protest, it could also shift attention away from the original issue.
"You may feel that the more people who join your movement, the stronger it becomes. But that is not always true," Kher said, adding that such involvement could result in the movement's purpose being overshadowed.
He further stated that students must ensure their voices remain their own and should not become a platform for someone else's ambitions. According to Kher, the strength of a student movement lies in its honesty, energy and connection to the issue being raised.
"In a democracy, it is your right to ask questions. It is your right to protest. It is your right to express yourselves fearlessly and firmly. But it is equally your responsibility to ensure that your voice is not taken over by someone else," he added.
Kher's comments come days after clashes broke out during the CJP's Chalo Sansad march in Delhi, where protesters demanding education reforms and accountability over NEET paper leaks faced police action. While students alleged that they were subjected to force, police officials also claimed that several personnel were injured during the confrontation.
The protests at Delhi's Jantar Mantar have continued for days, with demands including reforms in the examination system and the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Several public figures have voiced their opinions on the movement, adding to the ongoing debate around student concerns and education reforms.
