A barrage of reactions and posts have been coming from celebrities across India, supporting the ongoing NEET-UG protests led by the recently-formed Cockroach Janata Party at Delhi's Jantar Mantar. It recently hit global headlines following educationist Sonam Wangchuk's 26-day-long hunger strike seeking education reforms and the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Now, Hollywood actor John Cusack has out in support of student protests over the NEET paper leak that made headlines across the world. At least 12 to 14 NEET aspirants are reported to have died by suicide during the crisis surrounding the paper leak crisis and the subsequent cancellation of the examination.
Cusack, the star of blockbusters such as Serendipity, High Fidelity, Con Air and 2012, shared an article by noted activist-author Arundhati Roy on X in which she had criticised the authorities for using excessive force on students during their march towards Parliament earlier this week.
"Beautiful news from my favorite fellow cockroach," posted Cusack, who has time and again spoken about pertinent issues related to India.
On Monday, police cracked down on thousands of people, mostly students, who hit the streets of the capital in response to a 'Chalo Sansad' march demanding resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan and voice their protest against irregularities in the exam system.
This is not the first time Cusack has raised his voice for issues in India. He had also supported students during their protest against the amended Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) in 2019. At the time, Cusack had criticised the Indian government following a police crackdown on students of the Jamia Millia Islamia university.
Cusack has long been outspoken about his political views. A sharp critic of US President Donald Trump, the actor has frequently used social media to comment on issues ranging from democracy and authoritarianism to wealth inequality and foreign policy. In recent years, he has also been one of Hollywood's most vocal supporters of Palestinian rights, repeatedly condemning Israel's military offensive in Gaza, calling for an immediate ceasefire, and criticising the US government's continued military support for Israel.
