Salman Khan Responds to Trolls Following Student Protest Support

Bollywood actor Salman Khan has spoken out against online criticism directed at him after he expressed support for students protesting an alleged leak of the National Eligibility Entrance Test (NEET) exam papers. The protests, which have taken place at Jantar Mantar in Delhi, have gained significant attention due to concerns over academic integrity.

In response to allegations that he was afraid to support the cause, Salman Khan shared two shirtless photos of himself from a gym, aiming to counter the negative comments. Capturing this moment in the early hours of Saturday, he included a pointed caption in Hindi, stating, "Salman Khan darrrr gaya...Hmmm joe darr gaya vo mar gaya," which translates to "Salman Khan got scared. He who fears, dies."

Earlier, the 60-year-old actor had urged the protesting students to return home, highlighting that their safety should not be compromised. In a previous Instagram post, Salman stated, "The students are at top priority, educationally and security-wise, so they need not worry and have their parents worried for them." He also referred to a statement from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding the establishment of fast-track courts to address the allegations related to the exam leak.

Moreover, Salman Khan acknowledged the efforts of social activist Sonam Wangchuk, who has been on a hunger strike for 26 days in solidarity with the students. The actor encouraged Wangchuk to end his fast, and even offered to send him food from home, showing a personal touch amid the ongoing crisis. He remarked, "Sonam, it’s done, bro. Don’t extend this. If you want, will send you food from home."

In his statement earlier this week, Salman described the NEET exam leak as "a very serious issue," calling for unity among the student body and urging that the protest should not be politicised. He advocated for a fair and transparent education system based on merit, echoing sentiments shared by numerous other Bollywood figures.

A plethora of actors, including Hrithik Roshan, Alia Bhatt, and filmmaker Anurag Kashyap, have also expressed their support for the students. They emphasised the importance of accountability concerning the allegations surrounding the exam leak.

The protests, organised by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), have persisted for over a month as students demand justice and accountability. Recently, tensions escalated after the CJP staged a 'Chalo Sansad' march in Delhi, which resulted in clashes between protesters and law enforcement.

Given the prominence of Salman Khan and other celebrities in the public discourse surrounding these protests, the situation continues to evolve as advocates call for institutional reform and transparency in the academic system.