Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP and veteran actress Hema Malini on Monday defended the Centre’s handling of the education sector and criticized the ongoing protests over the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak controversy, urging students to continue the dialogue instead of taking to the streets.
She also supported the government’s approach to addressing the issue, saying concerns should be resolved through discussions rather than demonstrations.
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“Protesting this way…”: Hema Malini
“If there is a problem, it should be discussed properly. Protesting in this way will not achieve anything. As for the youth of the country and the education system, the Modi government has always stood by them and done a huge amount of work; given that, the protests you are organizing now are absolutely meaningless,” he said, replying to a question in light of the Sarsour Janta Party’s protest.
“All I want to say is that this issue must be resolved through dialogue,” she told reporters.
Her remarks came after the opening day of the monsoon session of Parliament witnessed an intense political confrontation over the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak controversy. While the BJP called for dialogue on the issue, the opposition alleged that public confidence in the country’s examination system has collapsed.
The ruling party’s call for calm was met with strong criticism from the opposition. Congress member Deepinder Singh Hooda accused Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan of failing to provide transparent answers even as repeated examination-related irregularities continue to affect millions of aspirants.
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Kangana’s ‘mandating’ remarks on CJP
Speaking to reporters outside Parliament, actress-turned-politician Kangana Ranaut said Parliament exists to facilitate meaningful discussions and hold the government to account, not to create unrest.
She said, according to the news agency ANI: “Our parliamentary session is in place, so that we can discuss all the issues in detail, and hold the government accountable for everything. This is its purpose, and we want the session to continue and for them to ask their questions there, but if they create noise and cause chaos there, as they are doing in this protest, then this is not right.”
Kangana on ‘arm sprain’
Responding to demands for the dismissal of ministers and officials, Ranaut said the government would not give in to pressure tactics.
“You cannot force the government to take a decision on who to sack and who to retain. This arm-twisting is not good,” Ranaut said.
She also said that decisions regarding the functioning of the government rest with the elected administration and not with those who try to influence it through protests.
She added: “The government chosen by the people has the right to decide how to run the government. If you feel this power, then you should run for elections yourself.”
Earlier in the day, thousands of students, activists and professionals gathered at Jantar Mantar before marching towards Parliament on the opening day of the monsoon session, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
