Tamil actor Pradeep Ranganathan condemned the reported police lathicharge on NEET protesters at Jantar Mantar, urging dialogue over force. Actors Dheekshith Shetty and Anishma Anilkumar also expressed solidarity, calling for empathy, peaceful resolution, and respect for students’ voices.
Tamil actor and filmmaker Pradeep Ranganathan has reacted to reports of police personnel lathicharging protesters during a demonstration related to the NEET issue at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. The actor made a brief but impactful statement on social media, calling for restraint and urging authorities to respond to concerns through dialogue rather than force.
Taking to his official X account, Pradeep wrote, “Don’t answer questions with lathis. #Neet.” Though he did not directly mention any individual or institution, his message quickly drew attention online as discussions surrounding the reported police action continued across social media platforms.
The reported incident occurred when members of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) and students participating in a protest allegedly attempted to march from Jantar Mantar towards Parliament. According to reports, police intervened and used lathicharge to disperse the gathering, triggering widespread reactions from activists, students, and members of the entertainment industry.
Pradeep Ranganathan was among several film personalities who voiced concern over the reported developments. Kannada actor Dheekshith Shetty also shared his thoughts, emphasizing that the voices of young people should not be ignored.
In a message posted on Instagram, Dheekshith explained that he had been outside India and wanted to fully understand the situation before commenting publicly. He stated that education is built on hope and described students as the future of every nation.
The actor further said that although he does not take political sides, it was painful to witness students facing hardship during the protest. He highlighted that behind every demonstration are young people carrying dreams, years of dedication, and the aspirations of their families. Regardless of differing opinions, he stressed that every student deserves to be heard with dignity, empathy, and respect.
Calling for calm, Dheekshith expressed hope that all stakeholders would choose dialogue over confrontation and work toward a peaceful and fair resolution. He added that the country’s youth represent its future and that their voices should never be ignored.
Tamil actress Anishma Anilkumar, known for her performances in Sirai and Youth, also extended support to the protesters through a heartfelt Instagram statement. She wrote that while remaining silent may sometimes seem easier, there are moments when humanity requires people to speak out.
According to Anishma, every individual deserves dignity, every voice deserves to be heard, and every citizen should feel safe. She said lasting peace cannot be achieved through fear but through understanding, compassion, and meaningful dialogue.
The actress added that her thoughts were with students, their families, and everyone hoping for a future where disagreements are resolved through conversation instead of confrontation. Concluding her message, she said the issue was not about taking political sides but about choosing empathy, encouraging people to continue listening respectfully, asking questions peacefully, and caring for one another.
| Also Read: Dulquer Salmaan Supports Jantar Mantar Student Protests with Empathy |
The reactions from Pradeep Ranganathan, Dheekshith Shetty, and Anishma Anilkumar have added prominent voices from the South Indian film industry to the ongoing public discussion surrounding the reported police action at the NEET protest. Their statements collectively emphasized peaceful dialogue, respect for students, and the importance of addressing concerns through understanding rather than force.
