Hours after Delhi University asked students to stay away from protests in the capital, including the demonstration at Jantar Mantar, actor-director Pooja Bhatt criticized the advice and said students should be supported in exercising their right to speak.

The advisory came amid protests led by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) at Jantar Mantar, where thousands of youth had gathered to demand the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over irregularities in the education system, including the leak of NEET exam papers. Similar protests have also been reported in cities like Mumbai and Bengaluru.

On Thursday, Delhi University shared a message on social media asking students and teachers to stay away from unlawful gatherings. The advisory read, “Dear students and teachers, your safety matters to us. Please note that any unlawful assembly or demonstration at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi, which is strictly regulated as per the directions of the Honorable Supreme Court of India, may invite legal action.

Such activities can also pose serious risks to students’ personal safety and have a significant impact on their academic progress and professional opportunities. Accordingly, all students are urged to stay away from Jantar Mantar and give priority to their safety and compliance with the law. Furthermore, you are advised to exercise caution as a large amount of fake and misleading content is being created and circulated to promote the situation.”

A few hours later, Pooja Bhatt shared Delhi University’s message on Twitter (now X) and objected to the advice. He wrote, “Students’ safety is at greater risk if their voices are silenced. If we are truly invested in their future, we must support their right to speak rather than perpetuate a conspiracy of silence.”

The protest at Jantar Mantar focuses on the demand for Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation. In a post on Twitter, the Cockroach Janata Party said, “This movement will not stop until we get Pradhan’s resignation. We will fight together, we will win together.” Meanwhile, Pradhan responded in an insulting tone and accused the Congress party of “using students as a political tool to create disruption”.

Teacher Sonam Wangchuk, who was on hunger strike in solidarity with students for over 20 days, ended her fast on Friday morning. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also said that the accused have been arrested in the NEET leak case and the government is setting up fast-track courts to expedite the case. Protests, university advisories and reactions from public figures have focused ongoing anger over the irregularities.