SerpApi.Org
A scene from Rang De Basanti has gone viral as protests over alleged NEET irregularities and demands for education reforms spread across India. The clip about accountability and change has struck a chord with many on social media. The sequence, featuring actors Aamir Khan, Atul Kulkarni, Sharman Joshi and Kunal Kapoor, is being widely shared as demonstrations continue across the country.
The clip opens with a voiceover saying, "Hum koi terrorist nahi hain. Hamare pichhe kisi videshi shakti ka hath nahin hai. Aaj hum aayein hain ye kehne ki kuch to karna hoga. Hum sabko kuch karna hoga (We are not terrorists. There is no foreign power behind us. We have come here today to say that something must be done. We all have to do something." It then shifts to Siddharth speaking on the radio, reflecting on politics, public responsibility, and change.
Siddharth is then heard saying, "Ye neta log asman se nahin tapke yaar. Hum mein se ek hai. Hamne chuna hai inhe. Ye log corrupt hai to hum bhi corrupt hai. Kuch badalna hai to khud ko badalna hoga (These politicians didn't just drop out of the sky, you know. They are one of us. We elected them. If they are corrupt, then so are we. If we want to change anything, we have to change ourselves.)"
As a caller comments, "Kuch nahi badalne wala, ye India hai India.Yaha aisa hi hota aaya hai aur aisa hi hota rahega (Nothing is going to change; this is India—India. That's how things have always been here, and that's how they will continue to be)."
Sidharth then adds, "Koi bhi desh perfect nahi hota. Usse perfect banana padhta hai (No country is perfect; it has to be made perfect)."
Protests over demand for education reforms
The scene is being shared as students continue their protest at Jantar Mantar and spread across the country. The protest, staged to mark the start of the Monsoon Session, sought nationwide education reforms and the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged NEET irregularities. Security forces and protesters clashed as the march moved towards the Parliament building.
A CJP delegation also met Union Health Minister JP Nadda on Monday and submitted a memorandum with three demands: the immediate release of activist Sonam Wangchuk from the hospital, the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan, and Rs 1 crore compensation for families of NEET aspirants who died by suicide following the exam paper leak.
Support from film personalities
Actor-couple Riteish and Genelia Deshmukh expressed solidarity with the young protesters on Monday. In a post on X, Riteish wrote, "We stand in solidarity with the youth of our country. Their voices deserve to be heard — loud, clear, and without fear. They are the heartbeat of our democracy and the true architects of our nation's future (sic)." The post added, "Let us listen, support, and empower them. The energy, courage, and dreams of our young people will shape the India we aspire to build. Jai Hind. Genelia & Riteish Deshmukh #YouthOfIndia #VoiceOfTheYouth #FutureOfOurNation (sic)."
Actors Bhumi Pednekar, Huma Qureshi and Nandita Das also backed the youth-led protest. Screenwriter Sutapa Sikdar said many protesters were students who had arrived "with 20 rupees in their pocket" and "full of hope" while seeking accountability. She wrote that many of them were not "rich influential papas' babies and babas" and that "no one came to save them".
Veteran actor Shabana Azmi, who also joined the protests, reportedly felt unwell on Monday. A video from the site showed the 75-year-old being assisted by volunteers and security personnel and taken to a security cabin after she appeared to feel dizzy amid the gathering.
