Dulquer Salmaan on Jantar Mantar protests: 'Gut wrenching to see youth face uncertainty'
Synopsis
Dulquer Salmaan broke his silence on the Jantar Mantar student protests with a pointed Instagram post — not a political statement, but a human one. Amid lathi charges and a spreading agitation over NEET-UG irregularities, the actor zeroed in on students ending their lives and parents drowning in debt, making his voice one of the more emotionally direct from the film industry.
Key Takeaways
Dulquer Salmaan posted on Instagram on 22 July expressing anguish over student protests at Jantar Mantar , New Delhi .
He quoted directly: 'Seeing young people face uncertainty is gut wrenching.' Protests are being led by students and Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) members demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over NEET-UG paper leaks .
Police lathi-charged thousands of marchers heading toward Parliament on Monday ; the protest has since spread to multiple states.
Several film industry professionals have extended solidarity with the demonstrators.
Actor and producer Dulquer Salmaan has spoken out on the ongoing student demonstrations at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, calling it 'gut wrenching' to see young people confronting uncertainty and urging all sides to pursue meaningful dialogue and empathy-driven solutions. His remarks, posted on Instagram on 22 July, came as protests by students and Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) members intensified following a police lathi charge on marchers heading toward Parliament.
What Dulquer Said
In his Instagram post, Dulquer Salmaan wrote, 'What's happening at Jantar Mantar is a reminder to pause, listen, and choose understanding.' He elaborated on the emotional weight of the moment, stating, 'Education has always been about hope, opportunity, and the promise of a better future. Seeing young people face uncertainty is gut wrenching. What breaks my heart even more is knowing some students feel they have no way forward, whilst others even choosing to end everything. And parents carrying that pain and debts trying to keep their hopes alive. Beyond every opinion are individuals with dreams, aspirations, families, and hopes that deserve compassion and respect.'
The actor added that a future built on understanding would always be stronger than one built on division and violence, expressing hope for peaceful resolutions guided by wisdom.
Background: The Protests at Jantar Mantar
The demonstrations centre on demands for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over recurring examination irregularities, most notably the NEET-UG paper leak controversy. On Monday, police lathi-charged thousands of CJP supporters and students who had marched from Jantar Mantar toward Parliament. Despite the crackdown, the protests have not only continued but reportedly grown in scale, with student agitations spreading to several states across the country.
Film Industry Solidarity
Dulquer Salmaan is among several actors and film industry professionals who have publicly extended support to the students. His statement stands out for its focus on the human cost — drawing attention to the mental health toll on students and the financial burden on families, rather than limiting the commentary to the political dimension of the crisis.
What Comes Next
The protests show no immediate signs of abating. With student groups in multiple states joining the call, pressure on the Centre to respond meaningfully is mounting. Whether the government initiates a formal dialogue with student representatives or the agitation escalates further remains to be seen. As Dulquer Salmaan put it, the path forward depends on whether those in power choose 'wisdom and empathy' over confrontation.
Point of View
Targets no minister, and makes no electoral calculation. In a climate where celebrity political commentary is either effusively partisan or carefully vague, his focus on student suicides and parental debt cuts through. That said, the film industry's collective voice on the NEET crisis has been reactive and episodic; it has not translated into sustained pressure. The more consequential question is whether the Centre treats the spreading protests as a law-and-order problem or a policy failure — and the lathi charge suggests, at least for now, it is leaning toward the former.
NationPress
22 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Dulquer Salmaan say about the Jantar Mantar protests?
Dulquer Salmaan posted on Instagram on 22 July calling it 'gut wrenching' to see young people face uncertainty amid the student protests at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi. He urged meaningful dialogue, peaceful resolutions, and decisions guided by wisdom and empathy.
Why are students protesting at Jantar Mantar?
Students and Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) members are protesting at Jantar Mantar demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over recurring examination irregularities, including the NEET-UG paper leak controversy. The agitation has spread to several states.
What happened when protesters marched toward Parliament?
Police lathi-charged thousands of CJP supporters and students who marched from Jantar Mantar toward Parliament on Monday. Despite the crackdown, protests have reportedly continued and grown stronger, with demonstrations erupting in multiple states.
Has the film industry supported the student protesters?
Yes, Dulquer Salmaan is among several actors and film industry professionals who have publicly expressed support for the students. His post was particularly notable for highlighting the mental health toll on students and the financial burden on families.
What is the NEET-UG paper leak controversy?
The NEET-UG paper leak refers to alleged irregularities in the conduct of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for undergraduate medical admissions, which has triggered widespread outrage among students and parents. It is the primary grievance driving demands for the Education Minister's resignation.
