Mammootty joins growing chorus of South Indian stars supporting students protesting NEET paper leak
Malayalam superstar Mammootty has voiced solidarity with students protesting at Delhi's Jantar Mantar over alleged NEET examination irregularities, joining son Dulquer Salmaan and dozens of other South Indian film personalities calling for justice and accountability.
Mammootty joins growing chorus of South Indian stars supporting students protesting NEET paper leak
Malayalam film icon Mammootty has added his voice to the expanding roster of South Indian cinema personalities expressing support for students protesting alleged irregularities in India's national medical entrance examination.
Taking to social media on Thursday, the veteran actor wrote: "The youth are the true treasure of our nation. Listen to their voices. Protect them. Empower them."
The statement came one day after his son, actor Dulquer Salmaan, expressed solidarity with the students gathered at Delhi's Jantar Mantar. The protests centre on alleged irregularities in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), India's sole mandatory entrance examination for admission to undergraduate medical courses including MBBS, BDS, and AYUSH programs in all government and private medical institutions, as mandated by the National Medical Commission Act of 2019.
The NEET 2026 examination was held on May 3 for over 2.27 million aspirants seeking admission to undergraduate medical and dental courses. Authorities cancelled the examination on May 12 following investigations that revealed overlaps between a pre-circulated guess paper and the actual question paper.
Wave of support from Malayalam cinema
Actor Manju Warrier also extended her support, stating that "humanity should prevail over politics" and calling for transparency, accountability and fairness in the country's education system.
Support from the Malayalam film fraternity has continued to grow. Actors including Tovino Thomas, Parvathy Thiruvothu, Kunchacko Boban, Indrajith Sukumaran, Joju George, Nikhila Vimal, Naslen and Rima Kallingal have expressed solidarity through social media posts.
A solidarity gathering outside Maharaja's College in Kochi brought together actors Joju George and Santhy Balachandran, filmmakers Aashiq Abu, Mahesh Narayanan and Manu Ashokan, writer N.S. Madhavan, author K.R. Meera and rapper Baby Jean.
Television presenter and actor Ranjini Haridas travelled to Delhi to join the protest at Jantar Mantar. Haridas said she decided to travel after watching activist Sonam Wangchuk being removed from the protest site while on a hunger strike. Actors Sija Rose and Noila Francy also joined the march.
Systemic concerns and investigation details
The current controversy is part of a broader pattern. 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. NEET and its predecessor AIPMT have faced at least five major documented paper leak controversies since 2015, including the 2015 AIPMT Bluetooth scam that affected over 630,000 candidates and led to Supreme Court-ordered cancellation and re-examination.
According to investigation sources, the CBI has made 13 arrests in connection with the 2026 NEET paper leak, including paper translators and subject experts. Investigators allege that parts of the question paper were accessed around 42 hours before the exam and used to create a question bank containing over 300 questions.
Police action and political response
On July 20, thousands of protesters gathered near Jantar Mantar and clashes ensued. Delhi Police reported using baton charges and tear gas, with nearly 180 people injured, including 118 security personnel and 60 protesters, according to police figures.
Actor Tovino Thomas condemned the police action, stating that the right to dissent "is not a threat to democracy," while Vismaya Mohanlal also criticised the crackdown in an Instagram post.
Activist Sonam Wangchuk began a hunger strike on June 28 at Jantar Mantar demanding Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation. He ended the 26-day fast on July 24 after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that the government would bring tougher laws to check paper leaks and fast-track court proceedings against those involved, with the issue to be discussed by the cabinet.
Pan-South Indian solidarity
Beyond Kerala, veteran actor Prakash Raj has remained one of the most vocal supporters of the movement. Filmmaker Pa. Ranjith and actors Vijay Sethupathi, Ken Karunaas, Priyamani and Anasuya Bharadwaj have also expressed solidarity with the protesting students.
The Cockroach Janta Party, which started as an online satirical movement in May 2026 and launched its first real-world protest with the sit-in at Jantar Mantar, has emerged as a major youth-led platform channelling student frustrations over examination integrity and educational accountability.
