Bollywood actors Salman Khan and Alia Bhatt have expressed solidarity with student protesters gathered at Delhi's Jantar Mantar [1, 2].

The involvement of high-profile celebrities brings national attention to the grievances of medical aspirants and increases pressure on the government to address systemic exam failures.

The students are protesting alleged leaks of the NEET-UG exam papers [2, 3]. As part of their demands, the protesters are calling for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan [2, 3].

Alia Bhatt praised the determination of the students in a public statement. "Their courage humbles me," Bhatt said [1, 3].

Bhatt said the resolve of the protesters serves as a mirror for the rest of the country. She said the situation asks whether the public is truly listening to the people who will inherit and shape the country's tomorrow [3].

Salman Khan joined Bhatt and other stars, including Kareena Kapoor and Kamal Haasan, in backing the agitation [2]. The rally of celebrity support comes as the protests at Jantar Mantar intensify, highlighting the frustration of students regarding the integrity of national competitive examinations [3].

The celebrities used their platforms to amplify the students' calls for transparency, and accountability within the education ministry [1, 2].

“Their courage humbles me.”

The public endorsement of student protests by A-list Bollywood celebrities signals a shift from localized academic grievances to a broader cultural conversation. By linking the NEET-UG paper leak scandal to the future of the country's youth, these actors are leveraging their social capital to transform a policy dispute into a matter of national moral urgency, potentially forcing a more rapid government response.