Bollywood actress Ananya Panday on Thursday, 23 July voiced support for Gen Z amid the nationwide protests over alleged exam irregularities, sharing two monochromatic images from a protest site on Instagram — only to face sharp criticism from internet users who accused her of speaking up too late.

What Ananya Panday Said

Panday, last seen in the film 'Chand Mera Dil', posted two black-and-white photographs — one showing a hand holding a copy of the Constitution of India, and another depicting a father with his daughter at a protest venue. In her caption, she wrote: 'Gen Z has always been labelled … not all of them have been kind. But maybe this moment is reminding us who this generation really is. A generation that's no longer willing to accept, 'this is how it's always been'. They're not asking for shortcuts. They're asking for fairness to be the bare minimum, not the exception. Questioning isn't disrespect.'

She added: 'Speaking up isn't rebellion. It's hope. It's belief that things can be better. And that's how change begins. I love my country and its people. Jai Hind.'

Social Media Backlash

The post drew swift and pointed criticism. Users flooded the comments section, questioning why Panday and other Bollywood figures had stayed silent during the most intense days of the protests. One user wrote: 'Finally Bollywood want to follow the trend!!! Where were they from so many days.' Another commented: 'They are speaking only when the govt spoke about Neet papers. If they had a spine they would have raised their voice and concerns earlier.'

A third user pointed out that Panday herself belongs to Gen Z, writing: 'Ohhh GOOD MORNING Now everyone will post because Salman posted and these people were silent from last 4 days when we needed them the most. Ananya you are a Gen-z .. didn't expect this from you.' The reaction mirrors the criticism that actress Sara Ali Khan also received for a similarly timed post.

The Protests: Background and Escalation

The demonstrations, spearheaded by Gen Z, have intensified across the country, with the national capital at the centre of unrest and ripple effects felt in cities including Mumbai and Kolkata, as well as smaller towns. The protests are rooted in demands for accountability over alleged irregularities in competitive examinations, most prominently the NEET paper leak.

Tensions escalated sharply after climate and education activist 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. On 20 July, protesters at Jantar Mantar were lathi-charged, leading to violent clashes with law enforcement.

Wangchuk's Demands and Ongoing Strike

Wangchuk has been on hunger strike demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged irregularities in competitive examinations. As of the latest reports, he has entered day 25 of his strike and has vowed to continue despite the crackdown. His removal and the subsequent police action have been widely cited as a flashpoint that broadened protest participation beyond the original student base.

With momentum building in smaller cities and Bollywood's belated engagement drawing both attention and scepticism, the coming days will test whether public pressure translates into policy accountability on exam reform.