"Don't Need Anyone's Permission": Siddharth On Supporting Students During CJP Protest

Actor Siddharth has spoken about his support for students involved in the CJP protest at Jantar Mantar, saying young people do not need anyone's permission to raise their voices on issues that matter to them. The protest, which drew support from several public figures including Siddharth and Dia Mirza, called for accountability and reforms in the education system following allegations surrounding the NEET paper leak. The protesters also demanded the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

Speaking to News18, Siddharth addressed the broader question of celebrities and public figures speaking out on national issues. He said he had never sought permission to express his views and did not believe he needed anyone's approval to continue doing so. He also reflected on the role of young people in social movements, saying every generation eventually gives way to a new generation that takes up important causes.

Siddharth said youth movements remain relevant across different periods and that young people should be allowed to express their concerns without being told what they should or should not say. He argued that young people do not require permission or advice from older generations to speak about issues affecting their lives. His comments came amid heightened attention on students protesting over concerns surrounding examinations and the education system.

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Dia Mirza also expressed support for the students and said there was much for older generations to learn from young people. She argued that people who genuinely want to promote kindness and act from a place of concern should not necessarily view speaking up as something that comes with a personal cost. Her comments reflected her broader support for students exercising their right to peacefully raise concerns.

Mirza had earlier taken to Instagram to express disappointment over the response to the student protest. She referred to the participation of thousands of people demanding accountability, transparency and reforms in education, while criticising the use of force against protesters. She described the situation as both hopeful and anger-inducing, particularly in reference to reports involving women and children at the protest.

Siddharth had also discussed the students' concerns in an interview with We Are Yuvaa, linking their struggles to allegations of examination paper leaks and the consequences for families relying on competitive examinations. He emphasised the seriousness of the issue and argued that no family should have to suffer the loss of a child because of failures surrounding the examination system. He has also defended the right of actors and other public figures to express their personal views on national issues, urging people not to target artists simply for speaking on matters they believe are important.

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