India Test and ODI captain Shubman Gill joined a growing list of sporting icons reacting to the nationwide protests over the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak, urging compassion, peaceful dialogue and keeping students’ interests at the centre of the conversation.
Taking to his Instagram story on Thursday, Gill said India’s youth deserve opportunities to learn, dream and shape the nation’s future, while expressing support for those choosing to raise their voices peacefully.
“As a young Indian, I believe our generation deserves every opportunity to learn, dream and shape the future we all aspire to. I have immense respect for every young person who believes in making their voice heard peacefully,” Gill wrote.
“Education has the power to shape our nation’s future. I hope we move forward with compassion, mutual respect and keeping the best interests of every student at heart. For India’s future.”
Gill’s remarks came as protests led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) continued in Delhi, with demonstrators demanding accountability over the alleged paper leak and the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Sporting icons rally behind students, call for education reform
The Indian captain is the latest prominent sporting figure to weigh in on the issue. Earlier in the day, Olympic champion Abhinav Bindra, former India cricketers Sachin Tendulkar, Shikhar Dhawan and Yuvraj Singh also shared messages on social media, advocating education reform, meritocracy, patience, dialogue and trust in institutions.
Hours before the athletes’ statements, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that fast-track courts would be set up to ensure swift punishment for those involved in paper leaks, describing the future of India’s youth as a national priority.
Meanwhile, the Delhi High Court on Thursday agreed to hear on Friday a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking a National Investigation Agency (NIA) probe into the July 20 “Sansad Chalo” protest over the alleged NEET paper leak. The petition seeks the transfer of related FIRs to a specialised agency and action against those allegedly involved in violence during the demonstrations.