Veteran actor and filmmaker Kamal Haasan has voiced his support for the students protesting at Jantar Mantar, becoming one of the few prominent South Indian film personalities to publicly speak out on the issue. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), the actor shared a strongly worded statement, questioning the country's education system and urging those in power to address the concerns raised by the protesting youth.
Kamal Haasan's statement on Jantar Mantar protest
According to News18, Kamal Haasan expressed solidarity with the students, criticizing what he described as systemic failures that have left young people feeling unheard. He wrote, "A nation has failed when its children are met with barricades and batons instead of answers."
Appeal to Sonam Wangchuk to end fast
Haasan also appealed to education reform activist Sonam Wangchuk to end his ongoing fast while emphasizing that the responsibility now lies with the nation to respond to the students' demands. In his social media post, he said, "@Wangchuk66, the nation will need your conscience..." as reported by Instagram.
"A nation has failed when its children are met with barricades and batons instead of answers." — Kamal Haasan on Facebook
Our Take: A rare voice from the film industry
Kamal Haasan's statement stands out because few prominent figures from the South Indian film industry have spoken publicly about this protest. In our view, his words carry weight because he directly calls out the system rather than offering vague support. By asking Sonam Wangchuk to end his fast while putting the onus on the nation, Haasan is trying to push for a resolution without letting the government off the hook. This is a clear signal that the issue is not going away quietly.
