Salman Khan voices support for CJP protest, says heart goes out to hurt students

Bollywood star Salman Khan has waded into the ongoing controversy over the Common Joint Process (CJP) exam, publicly backing the student protesters. In a statement that quickly went viral, Khan said his heart goes out to the students who were hurt during the agitation.

His comments come as thousands of students across multiple states continue to demand a re-examination, alleging paper leaks and administrative lapses.

Celebrities take sides

Khan is not the only major Bollywood figure to speak up. Actor Alia Bhatt also broke her silence on Wednesday, posting on social media that the last few days have broken her heart. She wrote that she stands with the students, calling the protest 'for the students, by the students'.

The support from two of the industry's biggest names has given the protest movement a significant visibility boost. Earlier, actor R. Madhavan had also voiced solidarity with the demonstrators.

Old video creates new trouble

However, Khan's support has not come without controversy. A video clip from a past interview has resurfaced online, showing the actor admitting that he had received leaked exam papers before a test.

In the clip, Khan can be heard casually stating that he knew the questions in advance. Critics were quick to point out the contradiction. They argue that his current sympathy for students seeking a fair exam rings hollow given his own admission of using unfair means.

The timing of the resurfaced video has added fuel to the already heated public debate. Many social media users have accused the actor of hypocrisy.

The CJP exam crisis

The CJP exam, a crucial gateway for thousands of medical and engineering aspirants, was marred by reports of widespread paper leaks earlier this year. Protests erupted in several cities after the results were delayed and authorities failed to provide a clear timeline for a fresh test.

Students have been demanding a transparent investigation and a fair re-examination. The police have made several arrests in connection with the leak, but the agitators say the root cause of the system's failure remains unaddressed.

Officials have not yet confirmed any new dates for the CJP exam. The central government has stated that it is reviewing the situation.

What to watch next

The resurfaced video of Salman Khan is likely to dominate news cycles in the coming days. The actor has not responded to the controversy surrounding the old clip. Meanwhile, the student protests are expected to continue until authorities announce a concrete plan for a fresh, fair examination.