Akansha Puri alleges actors paid to join protest rallies amid Wangchuk row
Synopsis
Actress Akansha Puri has alleged that actors and content creators are being approached with money to attend ongoing protest rallies — turning a student-led agitation over exam irregularities into a paid marketing exercise. Her remarks arrive as the movement faces heightened scrutiny following Sonam Wangchuk’s forcible removal from Jantar Mantar after a 21-day hunger strike.
Key Takeaways
Akansha Puri alleged on 23 July that actors are being offered money to join protest rallies linked to the exam irregularities agitation.
She said “a lot of parties” are approaching actors and content creators to “get seen” at rallies, calling it “garbage.” Sonam Wangchuk was removed from the Jantar Mantar protest site by Delhi Police on 18 July after 21 days of hunger strike.
Wangchuk had been demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged exam irregularities.
Puri did not name specific individuals or parties allegedly offering payments to celebrities.
Television actress Akansha Puri has alleged that members of the entertainment industry are being offered money to participate in ongoing protest rallies, raising questions about the authenticity of celebrity support for the demonstrations. Her remarks, made on Thursday, 23 July in Mumbai, come as protests over alleged irregularities in competitive exams continue to intensify across the country.
What Akansha Puri Said
Speaking to reporters, Puri said she wants people to back “the right thing” and resist turning the protests into a commercial exercise. “I just want people to support the right thing. Don’t make this a part of marketing. Don’t earn money for this. And don’t burn your own bread,” she said.
She further alleged that multiple parties are approaching actors and content creators with paid opportunities to attend rallies and gain visibility. “A lot of people, a lot of parties are approaching us to make this a part of marketing, get seen, go to the rally. I don’t want to be a part of this garbage,” she said, adding that she wants to “support the right people.”
Puri also expressed distress over the treatment of students at the centre of the agitation. “They are the future of India. They are students. And to do this with them — when I saw the visuals, they were very disturbing,” she said, appealing for genuine solidarity with the protesters.
Background: The Wangchuk Protests and Exam Row
The protests escalated after climate activist and innovator Sonam Wangchuk was removed by Delhi Police from the protest site at Jantar Mantar in the early hours of 18 July, following 21 days of an indefinite hunger strike. Authorities shifted him to a hospital, citing his deteriorating health, medical advice, and compliance with a Delhi High Court order.
Wangchuk had been demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged irregularities in competitive examinations. His removal from the protest site drew widespread attention and brought fresh voices — including those from the entertainment industry — into the public discourse.
Celebrity Participation Under Scrutiny
Puri’s allegations, if substantiated, would raise serious concerns about the commercialisation of civil protest movements. She did not name specific individuals or parties allegedly offering the payments. Notably, the practice of paying influencers and public figures to attend or amplify political events has been reported in other contexts in India, lending some credibility to her broader concern even without named sources.
Her remarks draw a sharp distinction between what she describes as genuine solidarity and performative participation driven by financial incentive — a line she says she refuses to cross.
What Happens Next
The protests over exam irregularities are expected to continue, with student groups demanding accountability from the government. Whether Puri’s allegations prompt any formal response from the entertainment industry bodies or political parties involved remains to be seen. The broader question of paid celebrity activism is likely to remain a point of public debate as the protests evolve.
Point of View
It muddies the signal that genuine public outrage sends — and hands the government a deflection narrative. The exam irregularities row is a legitimate student grievance with real institutional accountability at stake; reducing it to an influencer campaign would be a disservice to the students at its core. Mainstream coverage has focused on Wangchuk’s dramatic removal, largely missing this underbelly of manufactured solidarity.
NationPress
23 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Akansha Puri allege about protest rallies?
Akansha Puri alleged that actors and content creators are being approached by multiple parties and offered money to attend ongoing protest rallies for visibility and marketing purposes. She made these remarks on 23 July in Mumbai, urging people to support the protests genuinely rather than for financial gain.
Who is Sonam Wangchuk and why was he protesting?
Sonam Wangchuk is a climate activist and innovator who undertook a 21-day indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged irregularities in competitive examinations. He was removed by Delhi Police on 18 July and shifted to a hospital citing deteriorating health.
Why did Delhi Police remove Sonam Wangchuk from Jantar Mantar?
Delhi Police removed Wangchuk from the Jantar Mantar protest site in the early hours of 18 July, citing his deteriorating health, medical advice, and compliance with a Delhi High Court order. He was subsequently shifted to a hospital.
Did Akansha Puri name anyone offering money to actors?
No. Akansha Puri did not name specific individuals or parties allegedly offering payments to actors and content creators to attend the rallies. She referred broadly to “a lot of people, a lot of parties” approaching members of the entertainment industry.
Why do Akansha Puri’s allegations matter?
Her allegations raise concerns about the commercialisation of a student-led protest movement rooted in genuine grievances over exam irregularities. If verified, paid celebrity participation could undermine the credibility of the protests and distract from the core demand for accountability from the Union Education Ministry.
