Actor Mukesh Khanna has stirred controversy after labelling those backing student protests over the NEET paper leak as "cockroaches" and declaring that they should be "thrown out." Speaking in an Instagram video, the 68-year-old actor claimed the demonstrations were not led by genuine students affected by the leak, but were instead orchestrated by outside elements using the youth to destabilise the government.
The actor’s comments arrive amid heightened tensions and growing national debate regarding the language and conduct seen during recent NEET-related demonstrations. Public outrage flared following viral videos of student-led rallies where some participants reportedly used vulgar slogans directed at political leaders and security personnel. Reports also indicate that a First Information Report (FIR) was registered against a woman named Ruchika for making objectionable remarks about Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
In his video, recorded while abroad, Khanna noted that he had been closely monitoring domestic events through social media. Reiterating his past criticisms of Generation Z, he questioned the future of the nation if it were to rely on the current youth in 25 years' time. He further alleged that those taking to the streets were being manipulated into public abuse and lawlessness by organisers who were secretly pursuing political agendas while living lavishly. There have been no instances of confirmed use of firearms by the student protesters in the said demonstrations.
Calling the protesters "cockroaches," Khanna contended that they should be flushed out of public discourse in the same way that pests are flushed out of one's house. He stressed that people who would behave offensively could never be seen as representatives of the wronged students because the movement was nothing but an organised scheme to bring down the government. He advised the students that getting involved in these demonstrations would only hurt their careers as it might land them in trouble with the law and make finding a job harder.
In addition to the consequences of the protests, actor and Member of Parliament Kangana Ranaut is also under fire due to her use of similar language. Kangana posted a video explaining her statements on Instagram, clarifying that her comments were made in response to the obscene language used by people in the rallies organised by CJP. She pointed out that public discipline was important and that the individual liberty did not entail the right to abuse political, religious, and family figures. At the same time, she condemned "feminasis" and called on the public to change themselves and respect the traditional mentorship rather than give into destructive impulses. This happened after the discussion in which Ranaut questioned the student status of CJP spokesperson Saurav Das.
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