Chennai: Actor-politician Kamal Haasan has extended his support to the ongoing CJP protests, expressing solidarity with the students and urging activist Sonam Wangchuk to end his hunger strike.

In a post shared on social media, Kamal Haasan criticised the state of the education system and the treatment of students protesting over issues including examination irregularities and the demand for reforms.

“We should have listened when one child cried. Instead, we waited until far too many of our children died,” he wrote.

Kamal Haasan went on to question a system where coaching has taken the place of learning, anxiety has replaced curiosity and criminality has replaced merit.

“A system where coaching replaces learning, anxiety replaces curiosity, and criminality replaces merit is rotten,” he said.

He also criticised the use of force and barricades during student protests, writing, “A nation has failed when its children are met with barricades and batons instead of answers.”

Addressing Sonam Wangchuk directly, Kamal Haasan urged him to end his fast and said that the nation would need his conscience for the journey ahead.

“@Wangchuk66, the nation will need your conscience for the journey ahead. Please end your fast,” he wrote.

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The actor-politician also addressed the students involved in the protests, describing them as “the best of us”. He said the students had done their duty and that it was now time for the country to do its duty by them.

“To the children of India: You are the best of us. You have done your duty. It is now time for the country to do its duty by you,” Kamal Haasan wrote.

He concluded his message with a wish that the students’ dreams would always remain bigger than the failures of the older generation.

Kamal Haasan's post comes amid growing support from members of the film fraternity for the CJP-led student movement. Several celebrities have expressed solidarity with the protesters and raised concerns over student rights, examination systems and the need for accountability.

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The CJP protests have gained momentum amid demands linked to examination irregularities, the NEET-UG paper leak controversy and wider concerns over India’s education system. The movement has also called for accountability and reforms to address issues faced by students.