Indian stars hail students after education minister submits resignation

Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Alia Bhatt, Vicky Kaushal and several other Indian celebrities have reacted to the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, amid weeks of student protests over alleged irregularities in competitive examinations and the NEET controversy.

Pradhan submitted his resignation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday, following mounting pressure over the protests. His resignation had not yet been formally accepted at the time of the reactions.

The development was welcomed by students protesting at Delhi's Jantar Mantar, while several prominent figures from India's film industry took to social media to express solidarity with the movement.

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Priyanka Chopra Jonas reacted to a social media post by journalist Faye D'Souza about Pradhan's resignation, responding with red-heart, clapping and raised-hands emojis. Actors Alia Bhatt and Vicky Kaushal also showed their support by liking the post.

Comedian and actor Vir Das directly congratulated the students in an Instagram post, praising them for their determination and calling on them to celebrate what he described as a victory.

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Actor Dia Mirza also voiced her support for the young protesters. In a social media post, she praised the Gen Z-led movement and thanked those demanding accountability, transparency and reform in India's education system. She also urged the protesters to remain peaceful and consistent in their campaign.

The reactions came after weeks of demonstrations led by students demanding accountability over alleged examination irregularities and paper leaks. The protests intensified following a police crackdown on demonstrators in Delhi who had marched towards Parliament.

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The resignation has been described by supporters of the movement as a significant development, although some activists and public figures have called for broader reforms in the education system.

Veteran actor Shabana Azmi, who has been among the film industry's vocal supporters of the student movement, described the resignation as only a first step and said the protests should continue until the education system is overhauled and the students' demands are addressed.

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Pradhan, in his resignation letter, said he had taken responsibility for the situation and maintained that no deserving student should suffer because of examination malpractice.

The controversy has drawn increasing attention from India's entertainment industry, with a number of actors and public figures publicly expressing support for the students and their demands for greater accountability and transparency in the education system.