Tamil actor and director Pradeep Ranganathan on 22 July publicly condemned the police lathicharge on Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) protestors at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, posting a sharp, brief message on X: 'Don't answer questions with lathis. #Neet.' The protestors had been attempting to march from Jantar Mantar toward Parliament when police intervened.

Pradeep Ranganathan's Reaction

Ranganathan, one of Tamil cinema's most prominent rising voices, did not name any individual or party in his post but the #Neet hashtag made his target unmistakable. The brevity of the statement — a single line — gave it significant social media traction. This is not the first time a South Indian film personality has weighed in on the NEET controversy, which has repeatedly drawn public figures into a politically charged debate.

Dheekshith Shetty Calls for Dialogue

Actor Dheekshith Shetty also responded to the incident, choosing Instagram to share a more measured appeal. Having been outside the country when events unfolded, Shetty said he had taken time to understand the situation before speaking. 'I have always believed that education is built on hope, and students are the future of every nation,' he wrote.

Shetty, who described himself as someone who does not take political sides, said it was 'painful to see young students at Jantar Mantar going through hardship.' He urged all parties to choose 'dialogue over conflict' and called for 'a peaceful, fair resolution,' adding that the voices of the youth 'should never be ignored.'

Anishma Anilkumar Speaks on Dignity and Empathy

Actress Anishma Anilkumar, known for her performances in Tamil films 'Sirai' and 'Youth', also extended solidarity with the protestors via Instagram. 'There are moments when silence feels easier. But there are also moments when humanity asks us to speak,' she wrote, adding that 'every life deserves dignity, every voice deserves to be heard, and every citizen deserves to feel safe.'

Anilkumar framed her statement as a call for empathy rather than political alignment, saying, 'Peace is never built through fear. It is built through understanding, dialogue, and compassion.' She concluded: 'Let's choose peace. Let's choose hope.'

Broader Context

The lathicharge at Jantar Mantar comes amid sustained national debate over the NEET examination, which has drawn protests from students and advocacy groups across several states. Tamil Nadu has been among the most vocal in opposition, with political parties and public figures repeatedly demanding reform or scrapping of the centralised medical entrance test. The involvement of film personalities — who command significant youth followings — adds a cultural dimension to what is primarily a policy dispute. Whether their statements translate into political pressure remains to be seen.