MUMBAI: Bollywood actor Salman Khan has once again taken to Instagram, this time urging students protesting against the alleged paper leak to go back home, and Sonam Wangchuk to break his fast. His second post came just hours after an emotional message last night, where he had extended his support to the students’ movement.
In his latest post, Salman appealed directly to the protesting students, assuring them that their safety and education remain the government’s main concern. He wrote, “The students are at top priority, educationally n security-wise, so they need not worry and have their parents worried for them.”
He also referred to the Prime Minister’s tweet on the matter, saying he was confident that action would follow. “The Honorable Prime Minister has tweeted, and I am sure that he will take strict action against all those people who are responsible for this leak,” Salman wrote.
The actor then made a personal appeal, addressing Sonam Wangchuk directly. “Sonam, it’s done, bro. Don’t extend this. Keep the spirit for another day if there be a need, which I doubt, n eat something. If u want, will send u food from home.”
Salman’s fresh message follows a longer, more emotional post he shared the previous night, after reports emerged that the protest had turned violent in parts. “It was such a peaceful movement, feel so sad that it had to take a violent turn,” he wrote. “My heart goes out to the students and their families who were hurt.”
He called the paper leak “a very serious issue” and said he was glad to see young people across the country unite for a better education system, with their parents backing them. “I truly appreciate the stand they have taken, showing dedication, sincerity, and keenness to study hard n make their future and a greater, educated India,” he said.
Salman praised the manner in which the protest was carried out, calling it courageous. “This andolan, this protest, is the right way to go abt it, n the students have done this peacefully. So courageous and brave,” he wrote, adding that the youth driven by education would make the country proud.
He was also careful to note that the issue should stay away from politics. “This issue is between the students and the educational system, it should not be hijacked politically,” he wrote. According to him, the credit belongs only to the students, and he expects the government to support them and strengthen the education system further. “It’s a win-win situation,” he added.
Ending his post on a hopeful note, Salman prayed for a positive outcome. “Hoping n praying for a positive decision. God bless all of you who wanna be educated,” he wrote.
He went on to express a larger wish, that education itself should become aspirational for the youth. “Education should be the next trend and fashion, and should get trendier n more fashionable yr by yr, itna k bahar se log come to India to study and India becomes an educational hub.”
Agencies