Preity Zinta extends unwavering support to Sonam Wangchuk, protesting students

Actor Preity Zinta on Tuesday expressed solidarity with students protesting in New Delhi over irregularities in the NEET examination. The 51-year-old actor also extended her support to educator and activist Sonam Wangchuk, who has been on a hunger strike for over 20 days as part of the Cockroach Janta Party's (CJP) ongoing protest at Delhi's Jantar Mantar.Sharing a note on X, Zinta backed the students' demand for reforms in the country's education system and urged the government to initiate talks with Wangchuk before his health deteriorates further.Her note read: "I hope our govt starts a meaningful dialogue with Sonam Wangchuk and the student bodies so his health does not deteriorate any further ! Please end your fast Sonam. Your health is as important as this fight. You and the students are fighting for the future of India and for our youth (sic)."She added, "My heartfelt & unwavering support to every student & to Sonam in this fight to uplift & upgrade our educational system. More power to all of you (sic)." Zinta is among several film personalities who have voiced support for the student movement after clashes broke out during Monday's Chalo Sansad march, when Delhi Police detained several protesters and used force to disperse the gathering. The incident sparked widespread criticism online, with many demanding accountability and justice for the injured students.While actors Shabana Azmi and Prakash Raj joined protesters on the ground at Jantar Mantar, several others, including Sonakshi Sinha, Aditi Rao Hydari, Dia Mirza, Sonu Sood, Vir Das, Bhumi Pednekar and Tovino Thomas, have expressed solidarity with the movement on social media. The protests, led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and supported by Wangchuk, have brought together students from across the country demanding sweeping reforms in India's education system. Their key demands include a transparent investigation into alleged NEET irregularities, greater accountability in the conduct of national entrance examinations, broader structural reforms to make the education system more equitable and student-centric, and the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.Wangchuk, who has been leading the agitation through an indefinite hunger strike, has repeatedly urged the Centre to open a dialogue with student representatives and address their concerns through institutional reforms rather than police action.On Monday, CJP organised its Chalo Sansad march, during which protesters attempted to march towards Parliament on the opening day of the Monsoon Session. Police responded with tear gas, lathi charges and anti-riot vehicles to disperse the crowds at several locations, including Jantar Mantar, Shastri Bhawan, Rail Bhawan and Connaught Place.- EndsPublished By: Vineeta KumarPublished On: Jul 21, 2026 16:32 IST