Bollywood actor Sonakshi Sinha has voiced her concern over the alleged use of force against students and activists during a protest in New Delhi, sharing visuals from the demonstration on social media and expressing solidarity with those who participated in the movement.
The actor’s reaction came after students reportedly faced a lathi-charge during a youth-led protest associated with the CJP movement on Monday. The demonstration has been linked to demands for education reforms and calls for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan amid concerns surrounding alleged examination paper leaks.
Sharing images from the protest, Sonakshi expressed her emotional response to the events. In a message accompanying the visuals, she wrote in Hindi that July 20 had seen many people suffer broken bones and that the incident had left the entire country heartbroken. Her post reflected her criticism of the action taken against protesters and highlighted the wider public debate surrounding the treatment of young people participating in demonstrations.
Sonakshi has emerged as one of the prominent Bollywood personalities to publicly comment on the ongoing protests. Her latest post comes amid growing attention from celebrities and public figures who have expressed concern over the alleged use of force against students demanding that their grievances be addressed.
The actor had earlier spoken out after activist Sonam Wangchuk was removed by police from Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on July 18. Wangchuk had reportedly been on a hunger strike for 22 days before the police action, following which he was shifted to a hospital.
At the time, Sonakshi criticised the action and expressed relief that Wangchuk was safe. She also praised the young protesters and others who had participated in the demonstration, saying they had remained calm and respectful while continuing to put forward their demands.
In her earlier message, the actor emphasised the importance of India’s youth and praised the protesters for maintaining their position despite what she described as discomfort, disappointment and difficulties. Her comments positioned her among the celebrities who have chosen to publicly acknowledge the concerns raised by the demonstrators.
The issue gained further visibility after the alleged lathi-charge, with other entertainment personalities also speaking in support of the students. Punjabi singer and actor Diljit Dosanjh criticised the treatment of the protesters and urged authorities to listen to their demands.
In his social media message, Diljit described the incident as wrong and said students should not be treated in such a manner. He appealed to the authorities to hear the protesters’ concerns, adding that the voice of the people should be respected.
The public statements by Sonakshi and other celebrities have brought additional attention to the protest, which has become a subject of discussion beyond political and student circles. The involvement of well-known entertainment figures has also amplified conversations on social media about the right to protest, the treatment of students and the need for authorities to engage with demonstrators.
The controversy comes at a time when concerns over education and examination-related issues have generated significant public debate. Students and activists participating in the demonstrations have been demanding accountability and reforms, while the alleged use of force has intensified criticism from sections of civil society and public figures.
Sonakshi’s latest post, particularly her reference to the injuries reportedly suffered by protesters, underlines the emotional impact of the confrontation. By sharing visuals from the demonstration, she has once again used her public platform to draw attention to the issue and convey her support for the protesting students.
As the debate continues, the protests and the response to them remain under close public scrutiny. The reactions from celebrities such as Sonakshi Sinha and Diljit Dosanjh have added a prominent cultural voice to discussions about student rights, education reforms and the handling of public demonstrations.
The developments have also raised broader questions about how authorities respond to peaceful protests and whether dialogue can be prioritised when students and activists raise concerns about issues affecting the education system. With public attention continuing to focus on the matter, the demands of the protesters and the official response are expected to remain central to the ongoing debate.