Akasa Singh joins Mumbai student protest, urges accountability over NEET unrest
Synopsis
Akasa Singh stepped off the stage and into a protest ground — at Shivaji Park, Mumbai, the singer joined actors Gurfateh Pirzada and Pratibha Ranta to stand with students demanding accountability over NEET-UG irregularities. Her appeal to 'side with humanity over party' is one of the more direct celebrity interventions in a movement that has already turned violent in Delhi.
Key Takeaways
Akasa Singh joined a student protest at Shivaji Park, Mumbai on 22 July , alongside actors Gurfateh Pirzada and Pratibha Ranta .
She condemned violence against peaceful protesters and called for accountability and dialogue in the education system.
Violent clashes erupted on Monday as thousands marched from Jantar Mantar to Parliament , demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan .
The protests centre on recurring examination irregularities, including the NEET-UG paper leak .
Delhi Police have assured a thorough investigation into the violence that occurred during the march.
Singer Akasa Singh on 22 July publicly sided with students protesting against examination irregularities, joining actors Gurfateh Pirzada and Pratibha Ranta at a demonstration held at Shivaji Park, Mumbai. Calling for accountability and dialogue, she condemned violence against peaceful protesters and stressed that no student should feel driven to end their life over a lack of justice.
What Akasa Said
The singer shared a Hindi poem to open her statement: 'Kuch bolke bhi kya hi ho jayega / Kuch nahi bolke kya ho gaya woh dekh rahe hain. / Ab kuch bolkar bhi dekh hi lete hain.' — a reflection on the cost of silence versus speaking out.
She followed it with a direct appeal: 'The students and the future kids of our country deserve accountability and a dialogue. Forget the right, the left, the propaganda, the religion. You don't have to side with a certain party, but you can side with humanity?'
She added: 'You can agree that young students shouldn't have ending their lives as their only option left? That the youth of our nation protesting PEACEFULLY asking for their BASIC RIGHT should NOT be brutally ASSAULTED? Please?'
Background: The Protests
On Monday, violent clashes broke out as thousands of supporters and students marched from Jantar Mantar towards Parliament, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over recurring examination irregularities, including the NEET-UG paper leak controversy. The demonstrations drew students, opposition leaders, and activists, all calling for systemic accountability in India's education sector. Delhi Police have assured a thorough investigation into the violence that erupted during the march.
Why Celebrities Are Speaking Out
Akasa's public stance is notable given that Bollywood and the broader entertainment industry have historically been cautious about wading into politically charged student movements. Her presence at Shivaji Park alongside fellow artists signals a growing willingness among public figures to lend visibility to youth-led causes. This comes amid sustained pressure on the government from opposition parties and civil society over the integrity of competitive examinations.
Who Is Akasa Singh
Akasa debuted with 'Kheech Meri Photo' from the 2016 film Sanam Teri Kasam. Her breakthrough came with the pop single 'Thug Ranjha', which became the most-viewed Indian video worldwide at the time. She participated in Bigg Boss 15 in 2021. Between 2024 and 2026, she expanded her discography with songs including 'Not Funny' from Madgaon Express, 'Daavudi' from Devara: Part 1, 'Panwadi' from Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari, 'Sikandar Naache' from Sikandar, 'Dhaagena Tinak Dhin' from Metro... In Dino, and most recently 'Jab Talak' for Cocktail 2.
With her statement, Akasa joins a small but growing chorus of entertainers choosing to speak on student welfare and institutional accountability — a conversation that shows no signs of quieting down.
Point of View
Which makes Akasa Singh's appearance at Shivaji Park more than a photo opportunity. Her deliberate framing — 'side with humanity, not a party' — is a calculated attempt to decouple the student cause from opposition politics, a move that could broaden its appeal but also invite backlash from ruling-party supporters. What the mainstream coverage underplays is the significance of artists with mass youth followings amplifying a movement whose core demand — examination integrity — is difficult to argue against on principle. The real test is whether celebrity visibility translates into sustained political pressure, or fades once the news cycle moves on.
NationPress
22 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Akasa Singh join the student protest in Mumbai?
Akasa Singh joined the protest at Shivaji Park, Mumbai on 22 July to express solidarity with students demanding accountability over examination irregularities, including the NEET-UG paper leak. She called for dialogue and condemned violence against peaceful demonstrators.
What are the student protests about?
The protests are centred on recurring examination irregularities, most prominently the NEET-UG paper leak, and are demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Students and activists marched from Jantar Mantar towards Parliament, with violent clashes reported on Monday.
What did Akasa Singh say at the protest?
Akasa Singh urged people to rise above political and religious divides and 'side with humanity.' She stated that students deserved accountability and dialogue, and that peaceful protesters should not face brutal assault.
Who else joined Akasa Singh at the Mumbai protest?
Actors Gurfateh Pirzada and Pratibha Ranta accompanied Akasa Singh at the student demonstration held at Shivaji Park, Mumbai.
What action has Delhi Police taken regarding the protest violence?
Delhi Police have assured a thorough investigation into the violent clashes that erupted when thousands of students and supporters marched from Jantar Mantar towards Parliament on Monday.
