Indian boxer Nikhat Zareen has become one of the first well-known sportspersons in the country to publicly react to the ongoing student protests over the alleged NEET paper leak. The two-time world champion expressed her support for the students through a social media post, a day after protesters marched from Jantar Mantar to Parliament in New Delhi on Monday (July 20).
The march, organised by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), demanded accountability over the examination controversy and called for action from the government.
Nikhat Zareen backs protesting students
Sharing her views on X, Zareen said students deserve to be heard and stressed that open dialogue is essential in a democracy. She added that a nation moves forward by addressing questions instead of suppressing them.
The protests have continued to gather momentum, with demonstrators demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Monday’s march turned violent, leaving several protesters and police personnel injured.
The agitation has been going on for nearly a month at Jantar Mantar. Activist Sonam Wangchuk had been on a hunger strike since June 28 before he was shifted from the protest site to AIIMS Hospital on Saturday (July 18).
Nikhat Zareen Recovering After Knee Surgery
Away from the protests, Nikhat Zareen recently underwent knee surgery at Kokilaben Hospital in Mumbai. The procedure was carried out over the weekend, and she is expected to remain out of competition for an extended period.