'Move Forward With Compassion...': Shubman Gill Reacts To Students' Protest, Says 'Our Generation Deserves Every Opportunity'

New Delhi: India ODI and Test captain Shubman Gill on Thursday reacted to the ongoing Cockroach Janta Party-led students' protest in Delhi and Mumbai over NEET-UG paper leak.

In a post on Instagram, the cricketer wrote, “As a young Indian, I believe our generation deserves every opportunity to learn, dream and shape the future we all aspire to."

He added that he has “immense respect for every young person who believes in making their voice heard peacefully”. Stating that education has the power to shape our nation's future, Gill said, "I hope we move forward with compassion, mutual respect and keeping the best interests of every student at heart.”

Jantar Mantar Protest

The youth-led Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has been camping at the Jantar Mantar from June 6, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged examination irregularities.

The movement drew heightened attention when it got support from famous environmentalist Sonam Wangchuk, who went on an indefinite hunger strike at the protest site. After 20+ days of fasting, he was forcibly moved to a hospital by police. He has written a letter to Union Minister JP Nadda, offering to end the strike if  the government assures that none of the young protesters will face any punitive or retaliatory legal action for participating in this movement. 

He said, "Their only "offence" has been to raise their voice for a fair and accountable education system."

Meanwhile, CJP Founder Abhijeet Dipke has stressed that the “protest will not end until Dharmendra Pradhan is sacked by PM Modi”.

The protest turned violent on Monday (July 20) during the ‘Sansad Chalo’ movement when protesters refused to disperse and “violated prohibitory orders”, police said. During the scuffle, many protesters and police personnel suffered injuries.

On Wednesday (July 22), the wave of protest reached Mumbai as several CJP supporters went on streets to voice their demands.