India's student protests draw Bollywood support and assault video

Following the resignation of Central Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, students across India mounted large protests. Numerous Bollywood personalities, including Alia Bhatt, Priyanka Chopra, Shabana Azmi and others, posted messages on social media praising the movement as a sign of youthful democratic participation and calling for broader education reforms. Their statements highlighted solidarity with the demonstrators and congratulated them on their unity.

At the same time, a video circulated showing Rashtriya Veer Hindustani Sena leader Shyam Pandit allegedly striking two young men who questioned him about the protests. The incident sparked outrage; Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav shared the clip and demanded Pandit's immediate arrest, describing the act as evidence of rising intolerance toward dissent. The contrasting reactions underscore the heightened political tension surrounding the student movement.