Actress Meera Chopra on Thursday publicly criticised a protester associated with the Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP) demonstration, after a video circulated on social media allegedly showing a woman using abusive language against Prime Minister Narendra Modi through a microphone. The video, which Meera reshared on X (formerly Twitter), was originally posted by a user who claimed the woman was a NEET rank holder.

What Meera Chopra Said

Sharing the clip, Meera questioned whether the behaviour was representative of today's youth or of NEET aspirants. She wrote, 'Is this the youth of today? Ya neet ki student? Plz batao kaun sa youth hai ye???' The post drew attention given that Meera had, until recently, been vocal in her support for the protesting students.

Her Earlier Stand on Student Protests

Meera, who was part of a feature film jury, had previously urged authorities to listen to students' concerns, describing them as 'the future of this country.' However, she also drew a firm line against political exploitation of the movement. In a statement posted online, she said: 'Listen to the students. They are not just protesters — they are the future of this country. Their genuine concerns must be heard, understood, and addressed. But we must also recognize those trying to use their shoulders to fire their political guns. Whether it is #CJP or #AAP, no political party should be allowed to hijack the students' struggle for its own agenda. A child's future is not a political weapon. Let the students be heard — but don't let politicians or wannabe politicians use them.'

Bollywood's Broader Response to the Protests

Meera is among several film industry voices who have weighed in on the ongoing protests. Actors including Salman Khan, Alia Bhatt, Naseeruddin Shah, Sonakshi Sinha, and Diljit Dosanjh have expressed solidarity with students and called for peaceful dialogue to address their grievances. Notably, Meera's stance is more nuanced — supportive of students but critical of what she sees as political co-option of their movement.

Background: The NEET Controversy and Jantar Mantar Protests

The protests at Jantar Mantar, which began earlier this month, centre on alleged discrepancies in competitive examinations, most prominently the NEET paper leak controversy. Students have demanded systemic reforms in the education sector and called for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The demonstrations have drawn participation from aspirants across the country and triggered a wider national debate on examination integrity.

What Comes Next

The video reshared by Meera has added a new dimension to the protest narrative, raising questions about the conduct of some participants and the role of organisations such as CJP in mobilising demonstrators. As the controversy deepens, pressure is likely to mount on both student leaders and political actors to clarify their positions.