Sania Mirza Voices Support for Student Protests in India

Sania Mirza, one of India's top athletes, has publicly supported the ongoing student protests demanding reforms in the education system following the NEET exam leak. She emphasized the importance of addressing students' genuine concerns and called for respect for their hard work. Other prominent sportspersons, including Nikhat Zareen and Abhinav Bindra, have also joined the conversation, highlighting the need for peaceful solutions to secure the future of youth in India. Mirza's statements resonate with the frustrations of students who have dedicated years to their studies.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 23, 2026, 18:32 IST

Sania Mirza Stands with Students

Regarded as one of India's most celebrated athletes, Sania Mirza recently took to social media to show her support for the ongoing student protests in India, advocating for necessary changes in the education system. Her remarks followed the leak of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), which ignited widespread anger across the nation. The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has been leading protests at Jantar Mantar in Delhi for over a month. On July 20, students marched towards the parliament demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, resulting in clashes that left several civilians and police officers injured.

Mirza emphasized that while violence is unacceptable, the students' concerns are valid. She acknowledged the dedication students invest in preparing for exams like NEET and called for respect for their efforts. "I stand in solidarity with the genuine concerns of students, who represent the future of our nation. They dedicate years to prepare for competitive exams such as NEET, and my heart goes out to them for their struggles, especially in recent days. Their voices must be heard, and their efforts respected. We need to address their disenchantment and implement proper reforms in the system. Violence has no place in our society; we must collaborate to find a peaceful solution that ensures a bright future for our youth," Mirza expressed on Instagram.

Reactions from Other Athletes

Other athletes have also voiced their support for the student protests. Nikhat Zareen and Manu Bhaker were among the first prominent figures to respond. Earlier today, Abhinav Bindra, India's first individual Olympic gold medalist, shared his thoughts on the matter via a post on X. Former cricketers like Yuvraj Singh and Shikhar Dhawan have also expressed their views on social media platforms.