Katrina Kaif fan page closes after actress stays silent on India's student protests
A fan page with over 70,000 followers shut down citing disappointment over Kaif's silence on nationwide protests sparked by NEET exam irregularities, as Bollywood remains divided on whether celebrities should speak out.
Fan page closes over actress's silence
A fan page dedicated to Bollywood actress Katrina Kaif has shut down after its administrator expressed disappointment over the star's silence on India's ongoing student protests, according to ETimes. The page, which had amassed more than 70,000 followers, closed with an emotional farewell note from an admin who said they had been a fan since childhood but could no longer support the actress due to her perceived silence on issues affecting students.
Background to the protests
The controversy centres on widespread demonstrations led by the youth-driven Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), a movement founded on May 16, 2026, by political communications strategist Abhijeet Dipke. The satirical party emerged in response to remarks by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, who compared unemployed youth to cockroaches and parasites of society on May 15, 2026. The movement has since amassed over 24 million Instagram followers, more than twice the following of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party, which the CJP name parodies.
The protests intensified following allegations of irregularities and paper leaks in the NEET medical entrance examination. The NEET-UG 2024 exam was conducted on May 5, 2024, with approximately 2.4 million candidates participating. Results were announced on June 4, 2024, followed by allegations of paper leaks in states including Bihar, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra. Protesters have demanded greater accountability and the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Violent clashes and escalating tensions
Tensions escalated sharply on July 20, 2026, when Delhi police used tear gas and batons against protesters during the Chalo Sansad march towards Parliament. The clashes resulted in nearly 180 injuries, including 118 security personnel and 60 protesters. At least one protester remained on a ventilator in intensive care as of July 21, 2026.
The protests have drawn support from several public figures and opposition leaders. On July 22, 2026, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and several Congress party lawmakers were forcibly detained during a sit-in outside Prime Minister Modi's residence in support of the student protesters. Gandhi claimed that 152 paper leaks over the past decade have affected nearly 7.5 million students.
The movement has spread globally, with solidarity demonstrations breaking out in cities including New York and London, as well as across Indian cities including Mumbai, Bengaluru, Dehradun, and Jaipur. Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk joined the protests with a hunger strike demanding Pradhan's resignation before being forcibly removed from Jantar Mantar, a designated protest site.
Bollywood's divided response
The fan page's decision sparked divided reactions online, reflecting a broader conversation around celebrity activism in India. Kaif is far from alone in her silence. Prominent Bollywood actors including Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Aamir Khan, Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, Deepika Padukone, Akshay Kumar, and Ajay Devgn have not made public statements on the issue.
Meanwhile, actors like Shabana Azmi, Prakash Raj, Pooja Bhatt, Sonakshi Sinha, and Aditi Rao Hydari have publicly supported the students, with Azmi and Raj joining protests in New Delhi.
Actress Swara Bhasker offered perspective on the silence, stating that many Bollywood celebrities fear speaking out on political issues because of consequences they have seen others face. She referenced her own experiences with backlash after expressing political views, suggesting actors have seen what happened to her and believe they could face similar treatment if they speak out.
While some social media users argued that influential celebrities should use their platforms to speak on issues affecting young people, others defended the actors, saying they are under no obligation to comment on every political or social development.
At the time of writing, Katrina Kaif had not publicly responded to either the criticism or the fan page's decision, according to the ETimes report.
