Hollywood actor John Cusack voices support for students protesting NEET paper leak

Hollywood actor John Cusack backed the CJP-led student protests by sharing Arundhati Roy's essay online. His post added to mounting support for students protesting against irregularities in the NEET-UG examination system.

In Short

• Students have protested for over a month over alleged exam irregularities
• Monday’s Chalo Sansad march in Delhi escalated into clashes with police
• Police alleged violent behaviour while protesters accused personnel of excessive force

Hollywood actor John Cusack has joined a growing list of public figures expressing support for students protesting the NEET-UG paper leak. Days after clashes erupted between protesters and Delhi Police during the Cockroach Janta Party's (CJP) 'Chalo Sansad' march in the national capital, Cusack shared an article by author-activist Arundhati Roy in solidarity with the movement.

On Thursday, the Serendipity and High Fidelity actor shared Roy's essay, Cockroach Democracy: Unarmed and Dangerous, on X. The article criticised the use of force against students during their march towards Parliament earlier this week. Sharing the essay, Cusack wrote, "Beautiful news from my favourite fellow cockroach (sic)."

See his post here:

This is not the first time Cusack has publicly supported student movements in India. In 2019, he backed protests against the amended Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and criticised the police action against students at Jamia Millia Islamia University.

All about the CJP protest in Jantar Mantar

The protests escalated on Monday after thousands of students and supporters gathered in Delhi in response to the CJP's 'Chalo Sansad' call. The demonstrators demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET-UG paper leak and other claimed irregularities in the country's examination system.

Delhi Police alleged that the protesters displayed "unruly, aggressive, and violent behaviour" and refused to disperse despite repeated warnings, violating prohibitory orders in force. Protesters, however, accused the police of using excessive force, claiming they were subjected to an indiscriminate lathi-charge.

Several videos circulating on social media appeared to show police using batons and tear gas to disperse the crowd. Demonstrators also claimed that some individuals in civilian clothes, without police identification, assaulted protesters.

Fresh clashes were reported on July 22 along Sansad Marg after protesters spilled onto the main road. While police used tear gas shells to control the crowd, some protesters allegedly pelted stones and chased police personnel near Connaught Place. According to Delhi Police, five personnel – including two ACPs, an inspector, a head constable and a constable – were injured in the violence.

Earlier this month, social activist Sonam Wangchuk joined the agitation and began a hunger strike at Jantar Mantar in support of the students. Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi also joined the protests earlier this week, staging a demonstration outside the Prime Minister's residence with Congress leaders before being detained by police.

Film fraternity rallies behind students

Cusack's post came as the protest drew support from both Indian and international voices. Among those who have recently backed the students are actors Salman Khan, Hrithik Roshan, Alia Bhatt and several other film personalities.

In a lengthy Instagram post shared on Wednesday night, Salman Khan described the paper leak as "a very serious issue" and wrote, "It was such a peaceful movement, feel so sad that it had to take a violent turn. My heart goes out to the students and their families who were hurt (sic)."

Praising the students for demanding a better education system, he added, "This andolan, this protest, is the right way to go abt it. This issue is between the students and the educational system, it should not be hijacked politically (sic)."

See his post here:

Apart from Salman, Hrithik Roshan and Alia Bhatt, several other film personalities have voiced support for the students in recent days, including Naseeruddin Shah, Ratna Pathak Shah, Shabana Azmi, Prakash Raj, Dulquer Salmaan, Sonakshi Sinha, Imran Khan, Richa Chadha, Swara Bhasker, Huma Qureshi, Revathy, Tovino Thomas, Abhay Deol and filmmaker Anurag Kashyap.

- Ends