Actress Ratna Pathak Shah released an Instagram video on Wednesday, expressing solidarity with the students and youth protesting at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar demanding education reforms in the country.

The 69-year-old actor referred to the legend of Ekalavya from Hindu mythology and asked who would be a teacher who would be willing to snatch away a student’s entire future in the form of his thumb. Pathak Shah, known for his outspoken political views, said the same story is being repeated today, where those claiming to be the country’s “Vishwaguru” are actually snatching away the future of the youth.

“When I was a child, I heard a story that gave me goosebumps, the story of Ekalavya. I was stunned. I remember thinking, what kind of a teacher is this, who asks a child, his own disciple, to give his entire future as his thumb?” she said in the video in Hindi.

Pathak Shah questioned those who claim to be the guardians of India’s education system.

He said, “However, today I finally understand what kind of teacher he was and what kind of teachers we see around us even today. We talk about becoming Vishwaguru, yet we are not able to stand with our own students or connect with them. It is amazing. What kind of teachers are we?”

referring to ongoing movementShah criticized a system that, according to him, expects youth to sacrifice their future while those in power protect their position.

He said, “We expect these youth to sacrifice their entire future so that those in power can remain in their positions. What kind of teachers are these? It is time we asked ourselves this question.”

The actor also became emotional while addressing the students and said that their generation is responsible for letting the situation worsen. He said people of his generation saw warning signs but failed to act in time.

He said, “And now the time has come for us to apologize to you. Because it is my generation that allowed things to reach this point. We could have seen this happening, but we failed to stop it at the right time and in the right way. That is why we no longer have the moral authority to guide you.”

Concluding his appeal, the National Award winning actor assured the students of his support.

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“But we have the will and commitment to stand with you. Whenever you call, we will be with you,” he said.

All about CJP’s students’ protest

The students’ protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, organized by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), has come in the wake of alleged police action against protesters and has received support from several public figures. The protesters are demanding reforms in the education system, accountability for the NEET paper leak earlier this year, fair and transparent exams and the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

A major turning point came when education reformer Sonam Wangchuk joined the movement and started an indefinite hunger strike in solidarity with the students. His participation brought widespread national attention to the movement. Throughout the protests, Wangchuk repeatedly called for peaceful demonstrations and urged the government to engage with the students’ concerns rather than ignore them.

The agitation entered its second phase on Monday, when students took out a peaceful march towards Parliament marking the beginning of the monsoon session. The March later turned violent As soon as there was a clash between the protesters and the police.

Allegations of lathi charge and detention soon surfaced online, with injuries reportedly caused to both protesters and police personnel. Photos and videos of the clashes in Delhi spread rapidly on social media, thrusting the protests into the national spotlight.

Protest continues at Jantar Mantar several prominent public figures Giving their support. Actors Prakash Raj and Shabana Azmi were among those who joined the students at the protest site and expressed support for their demands.