Alia Bhatt's mother Soni Razdan supports students amid NEET protest row, says 'We can acknowledge progress and still demand accountability'
ETimes | July 25, 2026 6:39 PM CST
Veteran actress Soni Razdan has shared her thoughts on the ongoing student protests over alleged examination irregularities. The actress said students deserve a fair and trusted examination system. At the same time, she said the work done during Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's tenure should also be recognised.
Soni Razdan asks people to listen to students Alia Bhatt ’s mother Soni Razdan took to her Instagram handle to share a post as students across the country continue to protest over issues including the alleged NEET paper leak and demand greater accountability from the authorities.
Soni Razdan shared a series of slides on social media expressing her views on the protests. In her first post, she asked people to understand the concerns of students.
She wrote, “LISTEN TO THEM. It is deeply upsetting to see young people on the streets just to ensure their hard work is not wasted. These students have spent months, often years, preparing for exams that shape their future. They are not asking for favours. They are asking for fairness. When that trust breaks, their anger and disappointment cannot be ignored. Whatever our politics, a state is duty bound to listen.”
Soni Razdan calls for balance and peaceful movementShe also said that the current Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's tenure has brought important changes. Soni wrote, “It is also true that Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's tenure has seen real work, the National Education Policy, focus on vocational and foundational learning, digitalisation, and higher education reforms. That should be recognised.”
In her final slide, Soni said people can appreciate the progress made while also asking for accountability when mistakes happen.
She further added, “We can acknowledge progress and still demand accountability when things go wrong. We can stand with students without turning this into a political fight. Because in the end, this is not about who wins. It is about ensuring our students do not lose.”
Soni Razdan also shared a long caption supporting the students. She wrote, “The more time passes, the more I realise that this is going to be a long journey. There is so much still to be done. Our students and our young people have become beacons of hope at a time when so many have felt unheard and let down. Their courage, their persistence and their refusal to give up deserve our respect. More power to you. More strength, more courage, and above all, the fortitude to stay the course. The road ahead may be long.”
She added, “My only hope is that this movement remains true to what it began as a fight for fairness and accountability and is never hijacked or misused by those with other agendas. Stay strong. Stay safe. And hold on to what you are fighting for. We are with you.”
Soni Razdan asks people to listen to students Alia Bhatt ’s mother Soni Razdan took to her Instagram handle to share a post as students across the country continue to protest over issues including the alleged NEET paper leak and demand greater accountability from the authorities.
Soni Razdan shared a series of slides on social media expressing her views on the protests. In her first post, she asked people to understand the concerns of students.
She wrote, “LISTEN TO THEM. It is deeply upsetting to see young people on the streets just to ensure their hard work is not wasted. These students have spent months, often years, preparing for exams that shape their future. They are not asking for favours. They are asking for fairness. When that trust breaks, their anger and disappointment cannot be ignored. Whatever our politics, a state is duty bound to listen.”
Soni Razdan says accountability is importantIn the next slide, Soni said those responsible for running institutions must answer when problems happen. “ACCOUNTABILITY MATTERS. Listening also means asking hard questions. When problems keep happening even after assurances that the system has been fixed, students are right to demand accountability. It is about a simple principle: those in charge of our institutions must answer when they fail. Students deserve an exam system they can trust,” she added.
Soni Razdan calls for balance and peaceful movementShe also said that the current Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's tenure has brought important changes. Soni wrote, “It is also true that Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's tenure has seen real work, the National Education Policy, focus on vocational and foundational learning, digitalisation, and higher education reforms. That should be recognised.”
In her final slide, Soni said people can appreciate the progress made while also asking for accountability when mistakes happen.
She further added, “We can acknowledge progress and still demand accountability when things go wrong. We can stand with students without turning this into a political fight. Because in the end, this is not about who wins. It is about ensuring our students do not lose.”
Soni Razdan also shared a long caption supporting the students. She wrote, “The more time passes, the more I realise that this is going to be a long journey. There is so much still to be done. Our students and our young people have become beacons of hope at a time when so many have felt unheard and let down. Their courage, their persistence and their refusal to give up deserve our respect. More power to you. More strength, more courage, and above all, the fortitude to stay the course. The road ahead may be long.”
She added, “My only hope is that this movement remains true to what it began as a fight for fairness and accountability and is never hijacked or misused by those with other agendas. Stay strong. Stay safe. And hold on to what you are fighting for. We are with you.”
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