Veteran actor and filmmaker Amol Palekar has voiced his support for college kids protesting over the NEET paper leak by writing an open letter expressing solidarity with the youth-led movement. As demonstrations proceed in Delhi demanding accountability and education reforms, the actor praised the courage of scholars and said they’re carrying forward the unfinished work of democracy.
Amol Palekar offers legal and financial support to students protesting over NEET paper leak: “Don’t allow anger to harden into hatred”
Addressing the protesters as “Dear brave students,” Palekar wrote that he was writing not only in solidarity but additionally with gratitude. “Every generation inherits the unfinished work of democracy. Yours has accepted each the burden and the privilege of carrying it forward,” he wrote.
Draws parallels with history and literature
In his letter, Palekar referred to Albert Camus’ Caligula, saying the play reflects how unchecked power can grow to be detached from moral responsibility. He added that the recent developments in Delhi reminded him of those themes.
The veteran actor also cited historical student movements and struggles internationally, including the Paris student protests of 1968, the anti-apartheid movement in South Africa, Tiananmen Square and the Navnirman Andolan in Gujarat, arguing that attempts to silence young voices have never succeeded in suppressing the need for freedom.
“The photographs filled us with anguish and anger”
Reacting to the reported police motion against protesters, Palekar said the visuals left him deeply disturbed. “The photographs of the brutality inflicted upon you’ve got filled us with anguish and anger,” he wrote.
He added that universities are places where society learns to query itself and said asking those in power difficult questions is a democratic responsibility relatively than a privilege. “When questions are answered with batons as a substitute of reason, it is just not the scholars who stand diminished. It’s the State,” the actor wrote.
Explains why he didn’t join the protest
Palekar also explained why he didn’t attend the demonstrations in person. He said advancing age has imposed physical limitations, although his convictions remain unchanged. He also noted that he deliberately selected to not participate physically because he didn’t want public attention to shift away from the scholars.
“That is your movement, your voice, your moment of ethical courage. You don’t want celebrity validation. Democratic movements derive their legitimacy from the courage of those at their centre, not from the visibility of those that stand beside them,” he wrote.
Offers support to students
The actor concluded his letter by assuring students that he and his wife, Sandhya, would proceed supporting them in every way possible. He even offered legal, medical and financial assistance inside their means if required. Encouraging students to stay hopeful, he wrote, “Today you might be called students. Tomorrow you might be referred to as the generation that selected courage over silence. The long run belongs to those that refuse to give up their humanity.”
The continuing demonstrations began over the alleged NEET paper leak and demands for systemic reforms within the education sector. The movement has received support from several members of the film industry, with many celebrities calling for accountability, dialogue and peaceful resolution while expressing solidarity with students.
Also Read: Kamal Haasan backs Jantar Mantar protest, questions system in powerful note: “A nation has failed when its children are met with barricades and batons”
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