The reactions from personalities in films and television keep coming in regarding the police operation on the protesting students at the Jantar Mantar in Delhi. Now, actor and television host Shekhar Suman has also reacted to the same incident. In the monologue of his show, Shekhar Tonight, he termed the operation against the students highly disturbing. He stated that he had not been able to sleep for three days and that he had been weeping. He questioned what wrong those protesting students had done? Those were students who were demanding a better future and educational system.
The statement by Shekhar Suman has gone viral on social media platforms. The emotional words have once again sparked a debate on the issue of the students' protest and the operation. The actor stated that he felt highly disturbed by the sight of the bleeding and injured students.
In his monologue, Shekhar Suman noted that these young people were simply demanding their rights, a better future, and reforms in the country's education system. Yet, instead of being heard, force was used against them. The actor asserted that in a democracy, the voices of the youth should be heard rather than suppressed, as they represent the country's future.
He also expressed his solidarity with all the young people and citizens who have the courage to raise their voices against injustice. He believes that the nation's dignity remains secure only when the voices of its citizens are heard.
During his address, Shekhar Suman cited the 'Mahabharata', stating that history changes whenever those in power stop listening to the voices of their youth. He stated that the Mahabharata did not merely begin at Kurukshetra; rather, it started the moment Hastinapur began ignoring the voices of its own youth.
He remarked that history bears witness to the fact that those dismissed as weak often become the catalysts for major change. The more attempts made to suppress them, the more resiliently they rise again.
Shekhar Suman observed that change does not originate in parliaments, but in households where hard work abounds yet opportunities remain scarce. He noted that true transformation begins only when an entire generation resolves that injustice will no longer be tolerated.
He also mentioned that he had initially hesitated to speak on this subject but later felt that, since his show pledges to be a voice for the people, remaining silent would not be right. He affirmed his steadfast support for the students and the youth in this struggle.
This is not the first time Shekhar Suman has responded to a movement concerning the education system. Previously, he had supported social activist Sonam Wangchuk’s hunger strike and called for reforms in the education sector. He had stated that if someone is campaigning to improve the future of students and the nation's education system, their views deserve to be heard seriously.
In recent times, several prominent Bollywood artists have also voiced their support for the students. Actors including Salman Khan, Alia Bhatt, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Hrithik Roshan, Varun Dhawan, and Naseeruddin Shah have appealed for a resolution to the students' demands through dialogue. Meanwhile, Shekhar Suman's impassioned statement has also become a major topic of discussion on social media.
