Indian sporting icons rally behind students demanding education reforms amid exam scandal protests

Indian sporting icons rally behind students demanding education reforms amid exam scandal protests

India's sporting elite have thrown their weight behind student protesters demanding sweeping education reforms, as demonstrations that began in early June continue to challenge the government over widespread examination irregularities.

Cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar joined Olympic champions Abhinav Bindra, Mirabai Chanu and Manu Bhaker, along with former cricketers Yuvraj Singh, Shikhar Dhawan and Mohammad Kaif, and wrestlers Vinesh Phogat in urging fairness and accountability in the country's education system.

Tendulkar invokes father's lesson on integrity

Tendulkar recalled a lesson from his late father, a professor, writing on X:

Failure is okay, cheating is not. Never take shortcuts.

As adults in society, we have the responsibility of shaping culture. A society that prioritises outcomes over effort will seek shortcuts over meritocracy. Today, when students feel disappointed that their hard work hasn't been rewarded, it is understandable. Collectively, we should all work together towards ensuring they don't feel this way again.

The cricket legend emphasised that India's youth are "full of dreams and energy" and stressed that parents, teachers, schools, administrators and society have a shared responsibility to build a culture where "hard work is rewarded, honesty is encouraged and merit wins."

Bindra calls education above politics

Abhinav Bindra, who won India's first individual Olympic gold medal at Beijing 2008 in the men's 10-metre air rifle event, said education should transcend political divisions.

I have never considered myself a political person. But I do believe that some issues belong to all of us, regardless of where we stand. Education is one of them.

The measure of a nation is found not only in its economy or its achievements, but in the opportunities it creates for its young people. An education system that inspires confidence, rewards merit and nurtures curiosity is one of a nation's greatest strengths.

Protests triggered by exam leak scandal

The demonstrations began on 6 June at Delhi's Jantar Mantar, led by the Cockroach Janta Party, a satirical youth political movement founded in May by 30-year-old Abhijeet Dipke, alongside student organisations including the Students Federation of India and All India Students Association. What started with a few hundred daily protesters soon swelled into thousands.

The movement was triggered by the 2026 NEET paper leak scandal. The medical entrance examination, held on 3 May for over 2.27 million aspirants, was cancelled on 12 May after investigations revealed overlaps between a pre-circulated guess paper and the actual question paper.

The controversy is part of a systemic problem. India has witnessed more than 90 instances of paper leaks and examination irregularities at national and state levels over the past two decades, including at least 15 involving examinations conducted by Central agencies.

The movement takes its name from a controversial remark by Supreme Court Chief Justice Surya Kant, who in May during an unrelated court hearing compared some unemployed young people to "cockroaches," sparking online backlash.

Prominent activist joins on hunger strike

Prominent activist Sonam Wangchuk joined the demonstration on 28 June and began an indefinite hunger strike demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. His hunger strike, which has lasted more than three weeks, significantly boosted the movement's momentum.

The protests have also focused on irregularities in India's largest school board examination system, where technical glitches and security concerns in the CBSE's newly introduced On-Screen Marking re-evaluation system were severe enough that the government transferred the CBSE chairman and secretary and ordered an inquiry.

Olympic champions voice concern

Olympic silver medallist Mirabai Chanu, who won the women's 49kg weightlifting medal at Tokyo 2020 to become only the second Indian weightlifter to win an Olympic medal, backed the protesters while speaking to reporters in Glasgow on Thursday.

There are many good things happening in the country, and there are also some unfortunate developments. When we see or hear about such incidents, we do not feel good and naturally wonder why they are happening. I have heard about what is happening in Delhi, including the student protests. I feel that they are doing a good job.

Olympic shooter Manu Bhaker said the issue transcended politics.

At this point, it's about the lives and future of our nation. I am a student and at one point, we all were students. Every child deserves access to education, safety and a fair chance at life. These are not privileges, they are fundamental rights.

Violence prompts athlete outcry

On 21 July, Delhi Police reported that nearly 180 people were injured during clashes when protesters attempted to march toward Parliament, including 118 security personnel and 60 protesters. Police used tear gas and batons to disperse thousands of demonstrators.

Former all-rounder Yuvraj Singh appealed for dialogue, writing on Instagram:

To every child, student, woman and man: you deserve the opportunity to learn in peace, grow with safety and chase your dreams. Your well-being is the foundation of a brighter India... Through dialogue we can find an amicable solution for the sake of India's future.

Former opener Shikhar Dhawan urged patience and faith in institutions.

It is essential to understand their dreams, but at the same time, it is equally important to maintain patience in difficult times and keep faith in the country's institutions and government.

Mohammad Kaif struck a more emotional note.

As a father it pains me to see students being roughed up by police for protesting over flaws in education. Kids getting beaten with lathis on the streets of Delhi should stop. I hope a solution comes up very soon.

Wrestler Vinesh Phogat condemned the violence at the protest site, saying images from Jantar Mantar had deeply disturbed her.

When the students of the country were on the streets for their future, their rights and their dreams, they had to face not respect but fear and violence.

She urged protesters to remain peaceful despite any attempts to derail the movement.

The protests have been described as one of the biggest challenges to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government in his third term in office.