Naseeruddin Shah NEW DELHI, July 23 (Agencies): Student protests in India demanding education reforms grew on Thursday despite Prime Minister Narendra Modi vowing a crackdown following a string of exam paper leaks.
Five Gen Z protesters at the main protest site in the capital New Delhi spoke to AFP about what was driving them to join the movement initiated by the online Cockroach Janta Party (CJP).
The protests have emerged as one of the biggest challenges to Modi's government since his re-election in 2024.
Madhu, 21, said the medical entrance exam paper leak that forced more than two million candidates to sit for a retest, provided the initial spark.
"The paper leak was the spark and the CJP provided a platform for people to protest," she said.
Meanwhile, veteran Indian actor Naseeruddin Shah has questioned why many of Bollywood's biggest names have remained silent on the student protests over education reforms, saying some people speak up only after it no longer costs them anything.
Speaking to The Wire, a media outlet based on Delhi, Shah was asked why many leading actors had not commented publicly on the demonstrations, which have spread across India over the past week.
"They will do it when their conscience tells them to," Shah said. "There is a saying: a dog with a bone in its mouth can't bark. As soon as the bone drops out of their mouth, or it breaks their teeth, then they will bark."
Anupam Kher, in a video, said that he understands the "restlessness and anger" of students participating in the Cockroach Janta Party protest, but also warned them against "political opportunists".
Veteran actor has finally opened up about the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP)-led student protest. Kher took to X to share a video message in which he expressed solidarity with the students and supported their demands. But he also warned the student protesters not to let external groups hijack their movement or use it for their political or ideological agendas.
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