Bollywood's most iconic stars are facing intense scrutiny over their silence on the largest youth protests India has witnessed in recent years. Hundreds of thousands of young Indians have taken to the streets under the banner of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), demanding accountability from Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government and expressing outrage at the perceived lack of support – or even 'cowardice' – from their nation's most famous figures.
The CJP movement, which has seen protesters brave extreme weather conditions since its inception on 20 June, is calling for the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Prasad. The minister's position follows a May paper leak that forced two million students to retake an examination and was linked to over a dozen student suicides – the first time a loyal minister from Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has been compelled to step down under public pressure in their 12-year rule.
The protests, initially peaceful, turned violent this week with reports of police brutality, including baton charges, tear gas, and alleged pellet gun use. The response has heightened criticism of Bollywood's silence on the issue – with some questioning why they are so quick to comment on global tragedies while seemingly ignoring the struggles of their domestic fanbase.
There is growing concern that the entertainment industry is becoming increasingly aligned with the BJP government's right-wing agenda, reflected in a surge of hyper-nationalist films. Many of Bollywood's prominent Muslim stars now face pressure from powerful Hindu right-wing groups to toe the line, as seen in Aamir Khan's severe backlash in 2015 for expressing concerns about safety amidst rising communal tensions.
Only a handful of superstars have commented on the CJP protests – with most adopting non-committal stances that have drawn further criticism. Actor Salman Khan advised students to return home, assuring them the situation was 'under control' by Modi, while Anupam Kher echoed BJP sentiments by warning against 'political opportunists'. Cricketing giants Virat Kohli and Sachin Tendulkar have also faced public pressure for their perceived lack of a clear position, with Tendulkar posting a vague statement about fostering a culture of hard work.