Cinema VinesActor Vidya Malavade, known for her roles in Chak De! India and Mismatched, has publicly backed education reformer and activist Sonam Wangchuk after he was forcibly removed from a protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar and taken to Safdarjung Hospital. In a video posted on Instagram, Malavade expressed deep concern over the incident, calling the treatment of Wangchuk “heart‑breaking” and “scary.” She added that the dignity and grace of Gitanjali Ma’am—another prominent figure in the movement—represent the foundation of the country.
Wangchuk has been on an indefinite hunger strike since June 28, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged NEET‑UG paper leaks and other examination irregularities. The protest, organized by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), has attracted students and citizens calling for greater transparency and accountability in India’s education system.
Malavade also urged the government to engage in meaningful dialogue with students protesting over the NEET‑UG irregularities, stating that they deserve to be heard. She emphasized that peaceful protest is a birthright and criticized the disregard of student voices, noting the tragic impact on young people who feel compelled to take their own lives.
Other well‑known personalities, including Shabana Azmi, Prakash Raj, Mushtaq Khan and Poonam Pandey, joined the CJP demonstration on July 19 at Jantar Mantar, standing in solidarity with Wangchuk and the students. The protest gained further attention when CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke alleged that Delhi Police forcibly removed him and acted against several protesters, turning the event into a dramatic confrontation.
