R Madhavan Faces Criticism Over Silence on CJP Protest, ‘Gayab’ Posters Appear At FTII

Actor R Madhavan has come under criticism from students of the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) over his silence on the ongoing Cockroach Janta Party (CJP)-led protest demanding Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation over the alleged NEET paper leak and education reforms.

An image of Madhavan’s cabin door at FTII has gone viral on social media, showing it covered with the “Gayab” meme and a poster reading “NEET for Sale”. The posters appeared to question the actor’s silence as chairman of the institute amid the student-led protest.

Social Media Reactions

The image triggered a wave of reactions online, with several users urging Madhavan to respond to the issue.

Some users mocked the actor by linking his silence to his upcoming projects, while others questioned his decision to stay away from the public debate. A section of users also criticised him for not speaking on the protest despite heading one of the country’s premier film institutes. Some even called for his resignation, while others urged people to boycott his films.

Protest Gains Support

The CJP has been protesting at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar since June 6, seeking Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation over the alleged NEET paper leak and demanding wider education reforms.

Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk joined the protest and began an indefinite hunger strike. On July 20, protesters marched towards Parliament under the “Chalo Sansad” campaign, receiving support from public figures including Shabana Azmi, Prakash Raj, Hanumankind and Amol Parashar.

Clashes During March

On Monday, police used lathi-charge and tear gas to disperse protesters. The CJP alleged that security personnel attacked a truck carrying activist Sonam Wangchuk’s wife Gitanjali J Angmo, activist Abhijeet Dipke, and actors Shabana Azmi and Prakash Raj.

According to the organisers, around 50,000 protesters participated in the march. They claimed the demonstration began peacefully, with participants carrying flowers for police personnel, before the main protest stage at Jantar Mantar was dismantled and the site cleared.

Delhi Police, however, alleged that protesters became aggressive, attacked security personnel, and damaged government vehicles and public property during the march.

Following the clashes, several celebrities, including Anurag Kashyap and Sonam Bajwa, condemned the use of force against students.