Devoleena Bhattacharjee slams Kunal Kamra over Sonam Wangchuk protest
Synopsis
Devoleena Bhattacharjee's broadside against Kunal Kamra cuts to a recurring tension in Indian protest politics: when public figures join mass movements, do they amplify the cause or redirect attention to themselves? Her Anna Hazare parallel is pointed — and it lands at a moment when Sonam Wangchuk's hunger strike is already fighting to stay centred on students, not spectacle.
Key Takeaways
Devoleena Bhattacharjee publicly criticised Kunal Kamra on X on 16 July over his appearance at Sonam Wangchuk's protest.
She accused Kamra of exploiting the movement for personal agenda, drawing a parallel with opportunism seen after Anna Hazare's agitation.
Kamra had delivered a satirical speech at the protest that referenced Hindu mythology, sparking controversy.
Sonam Wangchuk is on an indefinite hunger strike demanding accountability over the NEET-UG paper leak and the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan .
The protest has planned a peaceful march to Parliament during the Monsoon Session .
Actress Devoleena Bhattacharjee has sharply criticised comedian Kunal Kamra following his appearance at activist Sonam Wangchuk's indefinite hunger strike in Mumbai, accusing him of exploiting the protest to advance his own agenda. The actress took to X (formerly Twitter) on 16 July to voice her displeasure in a strongly worded post.
What Devoleena Said
Bhattacharjee invoked the Hindi idiom for opportunism — 'washing hands in the flowing Ganges' — to describe what she alleged was cynical exploitation of Wangchuk's movement. In her post, she drew a parallel with the aftermath of Anna Hazare's anti-corruption agitation, suggesting that political figures and public personalities had historically capitalised on such mass movements for personal gain.
She wrote: 'Washing hands in the flowing Ganges is exactly what they call it. Even if SW's life doesn't end up slipping away... but our agenda should keep moving forward. We all know who benefited from Anna Hazare ji. Now, whether this hunger strike benefits the students or not... but this loot that's happening... we'll make sure to turn it to our advantage.'
She further challenged those using the protest as a platform for personal or political messaging to instead take direct responsibility: 'If that's all there is to it... then break your fast and somehow get them to eat... and sit on the hunger strike yourself.'
What Kunal Kamra Did at the Protest
Comedian Kunal Kamra had recently attended Wangchuk's protest and delivered a satirical speech that drew attention for its references to Hindu mythology. Among the remarks that circulated widely was a line invoking the name of a revered Hindu deity to make a pointed political quip — 'Sita Ke Pati ka naam lekar, Nita ke pati keliye kaam karte hai' — which triggered a sharp response from several quarters, including Bhattacharjee.
What Sonam Wangchuk's Protest Demands
Activist Sonam Wangchuk has been on an indefinite hunger strike demanding accountability over alleged examination irregularities, including the NEET-UG paper leak controversy, and calling for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The protest has also outlined broader educational reform demands and has announced a planned peaceful march to Parliament during the ongoing Monsoon Session.
This comes amid sustained public anger over the NEET-UG controversy, which has drawn protests from students and opposition parties across multiple states. Wangchuk's participation has lent the movement additional visibility, though it has also attracted figures from outside the student community — a development critics like Bhattacharjee argue risks diluting its core message.
About Devoleena Bhattacharjee
Bhattacharjee rose to national recognition playing Gopi Bahu in the long-running television serial 'Saath Nibhaana Saathiya' and later appeared in reality programming including 'Bigg Boss 13'. She has consistently used her social media presence to comment on social, political, and national issues.
Whether Kamra responds to the criticism publicly remains to be seen, as the debate around the protest's broader political dimensions continues to intensify.
Point of View
But the underlying concern — that Wangchuk's NEET-focused hunger strike risks being swallowed by broader political theatre — is legitimate and worth scrutiny that mainstream coverage has largely avoided.
NationPress
16 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Devoleena Bhattacharjee criticise Kunal Kamra?
Devoleena Bhattacharjee criticised Kunal Kamra after he appeared at Sonam Wangchuk's indefinite hunger strike and delivered a satirical speech referencing Hindu mythology. She accused him of using the protest to advance his own agenda rather than genuinely supporting the students' cause.
What did Kunal Kamra say at Sonam Wangchuk's protest?
Kamra delivered a satirical speech at the protest that included a remark referencing Hindu mythology to make a political point — 'Sita Ke Pati ka naam lekar, Nita ke pati keliye kaam karte hai' — which drew widespread attention and criticism from several quarters.
What is Sonam Wangchuk's hunger strike about?
Sonam Wangchuk is on an indefinite hunger strike demanding accountability over alleged examination irregularities, including the NEET-UG paper leak, and calling for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The protest has also announced a march to Parliament during the Monsoon Session.
What parallel did Devoleena draw with Anna Hazare?
Bhattacharjee drew a parallel with the aftermath of Anna Hazare's anti-corruption agitation, suggesting that public figures had historically exploited such mass movements for personal or political gain without bearing the actual cost of protest.
Who is Devoleena Bhattacharjee?
Devoleena Bhattacharjee is an Indian television actress best known for playing Gopi Bahu in 'Saath Nibhaana Saathiya'. She has been a vocal commentator on social and political issues through her social media platforms, including X.
