Oscar-winning sound designer Resul Pookutty and south Indian actresses Dushara Vijayan and Nikhila Vimal have voiced support for the ongoing demonstrations by students and members of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi, which are demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over recurring examination irregularities, including the NEET-UG paper leak controversy.

Resul Pookutty's Message to Gen Z

Pookutty took to Instagram to share his reaction, drawing a pointed comparison between the CJP demonstrations and recent ICE protests in Minnesota, USA. 'When #ICE protest erupted in #minnesota, we thought that's not something that affects us, turn around and look at our own backyard #jantarmantarprotestcjp. The images are so strikingly similar!' he wrote.

Addressing the student protesters directly, Pookutty added: 'My dear #genz, You turned silence into courage and courage into hope. May your protest be remembered as light that refuses to bow! This protest is poetry with pulse!'

Dushara Vijayan Speaks Out on X

Tamil actress Dushara Vijayan posted her response on X (formerly Twitter), expressing concern for students she described as having 'studied through sleepless nights, carried impossible expectations, and held on to a dream that means everything to them.' She said being 'met with fear and force is deeply unsettling.'

Vijayan appealed for empathy across political lines: 'Whatever our beliefs or politics, I hope we never become a society that stops listening to its students. Their voices are not a threat. They are a reminder that hope still exists.' She concluded with a message of solidarity: 'To every student out there — I hope you stay safe. I hope your dignity is protected. And I hope your dreams are never made to feel smaller than the courage it took to stand up for them.'

Nikhila Vimal Expresses Solidarity

Malayalam actress Nikhila Vimal also extended her support to the demonstrators, writing: 'Every generation inherits a country. Some must rise to defend its future. When the young take to the streets, it is the future demanding to be heard. May we listen. May we stand with them. In solidarity.'

Background: The NEET-UG Controversy

The protests at Jantar Mantar are centred on allegations of systemic irregularities in competitive examinations, most notably the NEET-UG paper leak that triggered nationwide outrage among aspirants and parents. Demonstrators have called for Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation, holding the government accountable for what they describe as a failure to protect the integrity of high-stakes national exams. The Jantar Mantar demonstrations have since inspired solidarity protests in several other parts of the country. The involvement of prominent entertainment figures signals that the issue is gaining broader cultural and public attention beyond student circles.