Sanjay Manjrekar Voices Support For NEET Protesters In Social Media Post
Cricketer supports students amid growing NEET protest debate.
Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has voiced support for the ongoing protests over alleged irregularities and paper leaks in the NEET examination, describing the movement as a broader expression of public frustration. In a strongly-worded post on X (formerly Twitter), Manjrekar said the demonstrations were no longer limited to concerns about the examination process but reflected what he termed a growing feeling of suppression in a democracy. He also argued that the use of force to curb student protests would not resolve the underlying issues.
In his post, Manjrekar wrote, "This isn't just about NEET paper leaks. It's a revolt against feeling generally suppressed in a democracy & the mainstream media's brainwashing." Drawing from his personal experience as a parent, he added that attempts to suppress or influence today's youth would ultimately be ineffective. His remarks have attracted attention as more prominent public figures from the sporting community speak out on the controversy surrounding the national medical entrance examination.
Manjrekar's comments came a day after cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar, India Test and ODI captain Shubman Gill, and Olympic gold medal-winning former shooter Abhinav Bindra also called for lasting reforms to address the concerns raised by students. Their statements have added momentum to demands for greater transparency, accountability, and stronger safeguards in the conduct of competitive examinations, particularly those involving millions of aspiring students across the country.
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The protests have intensified in recent days, with students demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Protesters allege that repeated failures to prevent examination paper leaks and irregularities have severely affected candidates and contributed to extreme distress among students, with allegations that multiple suicides were linked to the controversy. The issue has sparked nationwide debate over the credibility of the examination system and the need for comprehensive reforms.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed students through a video message on Thursday, assuring them that the government is implementing a series of measures to protect the interests of young people and strengthen the examination process. His remarks came three days after thousands of students participated in the 'Sansad Chalo' march in New Delhi to protest alleged irregularities in the NEET examination. The demonstration turned violent after police used lathi-charge and tear gas to disperse the crowd, leaving several students injured. Authorities also reported injuries to more than 100 police personnel during efforts to contain the march, underscoring the growing tensions surrounding the issue.
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