Actor Mukesh Khanna released a YouTube video criticizing the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest and its supporters [1].
The comments highlight a deepening divide between public figures and student activists over national examinations and government policy in India. This tension underscores the risks students may face when engaging in political mobilization.
In the video, Khanna described the supporters of the protest as "cockroaches" [2]. He said that the participants should be thrown out [2]. According to Khanna, the protest is not driven by genuine student concerns but is instead fueled by an agenda against the students and the government [1].
Khanna warned that involvement in the CJP-led movement could have long-term professional consequences. He said that participation might harm future employment opportunities and visa prospects [1]. He said that those involved would not receive help from the police or the government [3].
Khanna suggested that the CJP is using the youth as a tool against the central government [3]. The actor's remarks follow a series of nationwide protests related to the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) and other student grievances [2].
Throughout the footage, Khanna emphasized that the movement is deceptive. He said that the youth are being misled into a struggle that will ultimately leave them without institutional support [3].
“"Throw them out, they are cockroaches."”
The rhetoric used by Mukesh Khanna reflects a broader trend of polarization in India, where student-led protests are increasingly framed by critics as politically motivated rather than academic or systemic. By linking political activism to the loss of visas and employment, Khanna is highlighting the potential for state or social retaliation against youth dissenters.
