The NEET protests which were held all over Delhi on July 20, took an ugly turn when Delhi police resorted to violence, attacking thousands of students with teargas shells and lathi charge. Earlier, we had reported about Shabana Azmi being present at the protest venue, in solidarity with countless students. The protests, and the violence that followed, have now received a lot of attention from all over the country, including the film industry and its many leading figures.
Sharing a detail note on her Instagram page, Huma Qureshi wrote, “Seeing peaceful protestors being met with such brute force and lathis left me with a deep sadness.” Arijit Singh penned an angry note on his X page, saying, “Now you are beating the students. Aren’t you ashamed? Hello ministers and leaders, what is going on? Have you begun to think of yourselves as god? Everything will be remembered.”
Sharing a video of a heartbroken CJP protestor sharing her disillusionment with the system, Sonakshi Sinha wrote, “If this doesn’t make you do anything — tweet, post, protest — then you are dead. Just like this democracy”
Taking to his Instagram page, Shashank Arora posted a video where a policeman could be seen brutally attacking a student, adding the caption, “Indian students peacefully asking questions have been answered with terrorism from the state.”
Among others, Udaan actor Rajat Barmecha too was present at the video, sharing many videos of the violence being meted upon students.
Other notable film figures who took to their social media accounts to express their sadness and solidarity with the students include Sanya Malhotra, Ishaan Khatter, Siddharth, Aahana Kumra, Mahima Makwana, Nafisa Ali, Swanand Kirkire, Fatima Sana Shaikh, and Ali Fazal.